Knowra Lime mortar Lime mortar Lime mortar is a mixture of lime, sand, and water used to bind masonry. It hardens mainly as calcium hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate.
Carbonation : A chemical reaction in which carbon dioxide is incorporated into a substance. Carbon dioxide reacts with lime in the mortar to form calcium carbonate.
Lime : A calcium-containing material made by heating limestone and processing the resulting quicklime. It supplies the binder that holds the sand grains together.
Masonry : Construction using individual units such as stone, brick, or concrete block, often joined with mortar. Lime mortar is a traditional binder for masonry units.
Cement mortar : A masonry mortar whose binder is Portland cement, usually mixed with sand and water. It generally gains strength faster and differently than carbonation-hardening lime mortar.
Calcium hydroxide : An inorganic compound, Ca(OH)₂, also called slaked lime. It reacts with carbon dioxide as lime mortar hardens.
Quicklime : Calcium oxide produced by heating limestone. Slaking quicklime produces the hydrated lime commonly used in mortar.
Historic preservation : The practice of maintaining and conserving historically significant buildings and sites. Lime mortar is often chosen to repair historic masonry using compatible materials.
Portland cement : A hydraulic cement made by grinding clinker, usually with gypsum, into a fine powder. Its hydration-based hardening contrasts with lime mortar’s primarily carbonating binder.
Calcium carbonate : A chemical compound, CaCO₃, found in limestone, chalk, and many shells. It is the principal product of carbonation in lime mortar.
Slaking : The reaction of quicklime with water, producing heat and calcium hydroxide. It converts quicklime into a workable lime binder.
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