Abstract:
In this report we describe an experimental study carried out at LNEC within the research project
DRYMASS (ref. PTDC/ECM/100553/2008). The study was aimed at evaluating the
possibility of increasing the drying rate of porous building materials by means of
nano-treatments. It was justified by previous results of other authors that observed
an apparently unexplainable increase in the evaporation rate of natural stone after
application of nano-calcium hydroxide solutions as consolidating agents.
Two commercial treatments, consisting on alcoholic or aqueous suspensions of nano-lime or nanosilica,
respectively, were tested on three porous building materials. The treatments
are generally used for consolidation. The materials were a lime mortar and two
natural stones (Ançã limestone and Bentheimer sandstone).
It was concluded that neither of the nano-treatments hinders drying. However, they were also not able
to increase the drying kinetics of any of the three substrates.
