Novel hydroxyapatite-based consolidant and the acceleration of hydrolysis of silicate-based consolidants

This paper discusses the effectiveness of hydroxyapatite (HAP) as an inorganic consolidant for physically weathered Indiana Limestone, and as a coupling agent between limestone and a silicate consolidant. A double application is investigated, in which samples are coated with HAP followed by a commercially available silicate-based consolidant (Conservare ® OH-100). To artificially weather limestone, a thermal degradation technique was utilized. Diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP) salt was reacted with limestone, alone and with cationic precursors, to produce HAP films. The dynamic elastic modulus, water sorptivity and tensile strength of the treated stones were evaluated. HAP was found to be an effective consolidant for weathered Indiana Limestone, and its performance was enhanced by addition of millimolar quantities of calcium chloride. However, HAP was not useful as a coupling agent; a double treatment with DAP is more effective than sequential treatment with DAP and Conservare ® .