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Introduction to Tradical® |
MATERIALS
Lime
Lime is produced by heating calcium carbonate
(limestone, chalk, shells, coral etc.) in a
kiln to a temperature of approx. 900°C. At
this temperature the calcium carbonate is
chemically changed, or calcined, to form
calcium oxide (known as quick lime or lump
lime).
Air Limes and Hydraulic Limes
The raw material - calcium carbonate, will
vary according to its point of origin. Calcium
Carbonate sources that are pure are used to
produce high purity limes and these are known
as air limes. These high purity limes are used
in applications that require the characteristics
of consistently manufactured chemical
products. Calcium Carbonate sources that
are contain impurities are inevitably the more
common in geology. Some of these impurities
provide the characteristic of hydraulicity in
limes. Hydraulicity is a term that relates to the
nature of the setting mechanism of lime in a
mortar form.
Setting of Lime Mortars
The setting mechanism for mortars with
hydraulic limes is a combination of the
principal setting where water is required for
the formation of cementitious compounds
incorporating the impurities; and air where
carbon dioxide is absorbed in the recarbonation
of the lime to calcium carbonate.
Water and quicklime are combined in a process
known as hydration to produce hydrated lime. If
only an exact amount of water is added, the end
product is a dry powder and is generally known
as hydrated lime or lime hydrate. If an excess
of water is used (always putting the quick lime
into the water) the process is normally referred
to as slaking or slacking and the end product
is a colloidal gel, often sold in plastic tubs and
known as lime putty.
The setting mechanism for high purity air limes
is where only the carbon dioxide absorption
provides the setting process.
Tradical® air lime is one of the purest air limes
produced anywhere in the world.
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