Steam-slaked lime - Phase III: Comparison of the properties of mortars made with steam-slaked lime with mortars made using other types of lime.

This purchase is for Phase III of research to investigate the role of steam in the hydration (slaking) of calcium oxide (quick lime) and how this influences the properties and performance of steam-slaked lime and how this in turn affects mortar performance. Phase I, carried out in 2018, determined that steam-slaked lime has a significantly different microstructure compared to lime slaked in other ways. Phase II (commenced in 2020, but is only just being completed because of delays due to coronavirus restrictions) has shown how these microstructural differences affect water demand, water retention and carbonation of mortars made with steam-slaked lime. It is proposed that Phase III will consider in more detail the properties of mortars made with steam-slaked lime compared to mortars made with different types of lime, focussing in particular on permeability and moisture transport properties, and frost and salt resistance.