Lime
Lime
Lime
The crystallisation process of calcium oxide hydrate is very slow. Evaporation of water causes fine particles of Ca(OH) 2,
to stick together and form large Ca(OH)2, crystals which in turn grow. together and form a carcass that encloses sand
particles. The rate of CaCO3, formation is significant only in the presence of moisture. A film of calcium carbonate
appearing on the surface of the mortar during the initial period of hardening, prevents the penetration of carbon dioxide.
into the inside layers. Because of this the carbonisation process, which is very intensive in the i presence of a sufficient
amount of carbon dioxide stops almost entirely. The more intensive is the evaporation of water, the quicker is the
crystallisation of calcium oxide. Therefore, hardening of lime requires an above zero temperature and a low humidity of
the surrounding medium. Pure lime paste cracks as a result of considerable shrinkage during drying: this can be prevented
by adding 3.5 parts (by volume) of sand. The introduction of a prescribed amount of aggregate is advisable not only from
the economic but also from the engineering stand point, as it improves hardening and reduces drying shrinkage. The
strength of mortar from slaked lime is low: after a month of hardening the compressive strength becomes 0.5-1 N/mm²,
rising to 5-7 N/mm2 after several decades. This is due not only to greater carbonization of mortar or concrete, but also to
a certain interaction of silicate and carbonate aggregates with calcium oxide hydrate. High strength concretes and mortars
(30 to 40 N/mm²) can be obtained by artificial carbonization. Concretes from ground unslaked lime with addition of up to
0.2 per cent (by weight) of lime which speeds up carbonization and increases strength are particularly effective.
2. Hydrate Hardening = It is a gradual conversion of lime mortar and concrete mixes from ground unslaked lime into a rock-
like hard body. This is due to the interaction of lime with water and the formation of calcium oxide hydrate. First, lime
dissolves in water to give a saturated solution, which over-saturates rapidly because water is absorbed by the remaining
unslaked grains. Rapid and strong over-saturation of a mortar, prepared from unslaked lime, results in formation of
colloidal masses. They appear because calcium oxide hydrate formed by mixing lime with water consists of particles very
close in size to those of the colloids. Colloidal calcium hydrate coagulates quickly into a hydrogel which glues the grains
together. As water is partly sucked in by the deeper layers of grains and partly evaporates, the hydrogel thickens and thus
increases the strength of the hardening lime. The hydrogel formed in the process of hardening of slaked lime holds much
water and its adhesiveness is poor. However, it is not so for hardening of unslaked lime. As slaking lime hardens,
crystallization of calcium oxide hydrate increases its strength. Subsequent carbonisation of calcium oxide hydrate
improves the strength of the hardened mortar. Thus, mixing of ground unslaked lime with water brings about a hydration
hardening, which is characteristic of other binding materials as well; it consists of the hydration of calcium oxide and
subsequent formation of colloids and crystallization of the hydration product. Hardening at normal temperature is also
affected by the evaporation of free water in the process of drying and natural carbonization. The conditions which favour
hydration hardening are: rapid and uniform extraction of heat released in the process of hardening, the use of forms to
prevent the increase in volume of the hardening mass, and the introduction of admixtures to retard hydration. The
coagulation structure which appears in the process of hydration hardening is retained and serves as a medium for the
crystallization of new hydrate formation. Should the coagulation structure disintegrate because of a rise of temperature or
increase in volume, the new structure will have no time to appear because of a high hydration rate of the lime, and the
recrystallisation ends inside non-intergrown particles of lime. Hydration hardening may be improved by uniform burning
and grinding of lime.
3. Hydrosilicate Hardening = When lime-sand mixtures are treated by high-pressure steam (8-16 atm) corresponding to
temperatures between 175 and 200°C, lime and silica interact in the autoclave and form calcium hydrosilicate, which
ensures high strength and durability of manufactured items. In the autoclave method of hardening lime-sand materials,
lime does not play the part of a binding material, whose hydration and carbonisation gives rise to a stony body of required
strength at usual temperatures. In the given instance, lime is one of the two components that interact and form calcium
hydrosilicate which is the chief cementing substance. The required strength results not from the physical cohesion of the
binder hydrate formations with the grains of the aggregate, but from chemical interaction between the chief components
of the raw materials, lime and quartz sand. Hardening of autoclave steam-cured lime-silica materials is due to complex
physical and
chemical processes, which takes place in following three stages: -
a. Formation of crystalline nuclei of hydrosilicates, growth of crystals and increase in their number without any
coalescence taking place.
b. Formation of a crystalline concretion.
c. Failure (weakening) of concretion due to recrystallisation contacts among crystals.
New formations, whose number and composition vary continually harden in the process of hydro-thermal curing of items.
According to the percentage of calcium oxide and clayey impurities in it, lime can be classified as lean, hydraulic and pure
lime. Since magnesium oxide slakes slowly, an increase in its percentage decreases rate of hydration and so is with clayey
impurities as well.
1. Lean or Poor Lime: It consists of CaO + MgO (80 to 85%) with MgO less than 5% and clayey impurities of about more
than 7 per cent in the form of silica, alumina and iron oxide. It sets on absorbing CO₂ from atmosphere. Slaking requires
more time and so it hydrates slowly. Its expansion is less than that of fat lime. it makes thin paste with water. Setting and
hardening is very slow. The colour varies from yellow to grey. Uses: It gives poor and inferior mortar and is
recommended for less important structures.
2. Hydraulic Lime: It is a product obtained by moderate burning (900-1100°C) of raw limestone which contains small
proportions of clay (silica and alumina) 5-30% and iron oxide in chemical combination with the calcium oxide content
(CaO + MgO 70-80 % with MgO less than 5%). In slaking considerable care is required to provide just sufficient water,
since an excess of water would cause the lime to harden. Depending on the percentage of clay present these are classified
further as, feebly, moderately and eminently hydraulic limes. It sets under water.
A. Feebly Hydraulic Lime has less than 5-10 % of silica and alumina and slakes slowly, after few minutes (5 to 15). The
setting time is 21 days. It is used in damp places and for less important structures.
B. Moderately Hydraulic Lime has 10-20% of impurities, slakes sluggishly after 1-2 hours. The setting time is seven
days. It is used in damp places.
C. Eminently Hydraulic Lime has clayey impurities 20-30% and slakes with difficulty. Its initial setting time is 2 hours
and final setting time is 48 hours. It is used in damp places and for all structural purposes.
3. Pare, Rich or Fat Lime: It is soft lime (CaO + MgO more than 85% with MgO less than 4%) obtained by the calcination
of nearly pure limestone, marble, white chalk, oolitic limestone and calcareous tufa. Also known as white washing lime
should not have impurities of clay and stones, more than 5 per cent. Fat lime is nearly pure calcium oxide and when it is
hydrated with the required amount of water the solid lumps fall to a soft fine powder of Ca(OH) 2, and the high heat of
hydration produces a cloud of steam. It sets on absorbing CO₂ from atmosphere. Slaking is vigorous and the volume
becomes 2-3 times. It sets slowly in contact with air, and hence is not suitable for thick walls or in wet climate. If kept
under water a fat lime paste does not lose its high plasticity and consequently does not set and harden. Sp. gr. of pure lime
is about 3.4. Uses: Fat lime finds extensive use in making mortar, matrix for concrete, base for distemper and in white
wash, manufacturing of cement, and metallurgical industry.
Classification (IS: 712) Bureau of Indian standards has classified lime into class A, B, C, D, E and F based on the purpose of
its use in construction.
1. Class A-Eminently Hydraulic Lime is used for making mortar and concrete for construction and foundation works, i.e.,
for structural purposes. The colour is grey. Calcium oxide and clay are 60-70% and 25 per cent respectively. ) Slakes
with difficulty. Sets and hardens readily under water with initial setting time 2 hours and final setting time 48 hours.
2. Class B-Semi Hydraulic Lime is used for masonry mortars, flooring and for concrete in ordinary constructions and plaster
undercoat. The colour is grey. Contains 70 per cent calcium oxide and 15 per cent clay. Slakes and sets at slow rate
taking about a week to set under water.
3. Class C-Fat Lime is used for finishing coat in plastering and white washing, and with puzzolana in mortars. The colour is
white. Slakes vigorously and increases by two to three times its original volume. Contains about 93 per cent calcium
oxide and about 5-7% clay.
4. Class D-Magnesium/Dolomitic Lime is used for finishing coat in plastering and white washing. The colour is white.
Contains about 85 per cent calcium and magnesium oxides. Slakes promptly. Sets slowly.
5. Class E-Kankar Lime is used for making masonry mortars, plastering and white washing. The colour is grey. Contains 20
per cent calcium oxide, 5 per cent magnesium oxide and remaining impurities (iii) Slakes and sets slowly.
6. Class F-Siliceous Dolomitic Lime used for undercoat and finishing coat of plaster.
Lime Putty = It is obtained by adding hydrated lime to water, stirring to the consistency of a thick cream and, allowing it to
stand and mature for a period of about 16 hours in the case of non-hydraulic lime before using it for making mortar. The putty
so obtained should be protected from drying out.
Coarse StuffThe hydrated lime is first thoroughly mixed and ground with the required quantity of sand. Then water is added
and thorough mixing is done. The mix is kept to mature for about less than 16 hours in the case of hydraulic lime. Coarse stuff
should be protected from drying out till it is used.