Methods of Consolidation and Protection of Pentelic Marble

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the performance of the consolidation and the protective effect of treatments carried out on Pentelic marble specimens exhibiting granular disaggregation. Consolidation materials and techniques were applied and evaluated on weathered samples of Pentelic marble. “Reinforced lime” and a nano-dispersion of calcium hydroxide were selected as consolidants (with and without sodium stearate) and compared. Before consolidation, the specimens were examined in order to assess their state of conservation, using optical microscopy, infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and electron scanning microscopy coupled with microanalysis (SEM-EDX). The consolidation treatments were assessed using SEM-EDX, a portable spectrophotometer, contact angle measurements and sonication treatment in order to study the degree of adhesion with the substrate. The results showed that the nano-dispersion of calcium hydroxide with the addition of sodium stearate exhibited the best surface consolidation results. It can therefore be applied for both consolidation and protection treatments of Pentelic marble