Investigation of the Effect of Surface Coating Resin Application on Salt Crystallization Resistance in Ignimbrites with Different Welding Degrees

In this study, the salt crystallization resistance of ignimbrites obtained from Nevşehir and Kayseri regions in untreated and water-repellent-treated conditions was determined. X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses were conducted to determine the mineralogical-petrographic characteristics of the ignimbrites, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed to identify changes in the internal structure of the samples before and after salt crystallization, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyses were carried out to determine changes in pore structures. In the conducted study, both untreated and treated samples were tested for their physical and mechanical properties, including unit weight, uniaxial compressive strength, ultrasonic wave velocity, water adsorption by weight, porosity, Shore Leeb hardness, and point load strength. It was found that the welding degree of the ignimbrites had a significant impact on the effectiveness of the water repellent application. The most important conclusion drawn from this study is that determining the welding degrees of ignimbrites before surface protective coating processes is crucial because the welding degree directly affects the porosity, strength, and durability of the stone. Especially for ignimbrite samples used in historical and hospitality structures in regions such as Nevşehir and, Kayseri understanding these properties helps to select the appropriate surface coating, enhancing the material resistance against decay processes.