Influence of the traditional slaking process on the lime putty characteristics

• We compare limes from the same calcinated raw stone slaked with different methods.
• We study the influence of water ratio and temperature during slaking of lime.
• Particle size distribution increases with lower water ratios during slaking.
• Traditional slaking with higher water ratios increases the viscosity of lime putty.
• The viscosity of the lime putty increases with age.

The influence of the slaking method on the characteristics of lime putties has been investigated. There has been used the same raw lime, calcined in a traditional kiln, to perform in situ traditional slaking processes as well as laboratory controlled slaking processes. The obtained lime putties were characterized using different instrumental techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), specific surface area (BET), particle size using laser dispersion and viscosity. Particle morphology using scanning electron microscope (SEM) was also studied. The amount of water used during slaking as well as the temperatures distribution give raise to differences in the particle size distribution and in the resulting hydration products.