The effect of silica-acid-ester stone consolidants on coarse limestone

Two types of porous Miocene limestones from Soskfit were treated with silica acid ester The cylindrical specimens were tested under laboratory conditions by using vacuum impregnation of 100m% and 20m% silica acid ester. Physical properties such as density, ultrasonic sound velocity, and tensile strength were recorded before and after the treatment. The experiments have shown that both medium grained and fine grained limestones absorbed less silica acid ester of 20m%-type, meanwhile this consolidant caused an increased tensile strength compared to the concentrated one. The test also documented that not only the open porosity but also the pore-size distribution controls the absorption capacity of limestones and influences the effectiveness of treatments.