Abbasabad: how salts change travertine
Research to read alongside intended service conditions and the documentation for the chosen stone.
Aim and method
Abbasabad samples underwent thirty cycles with sodium and magnesium sulfates. Strengths, ultrasonic velocity and porosity were measured every five cycles.
Results
Sodium sulfate was more aggressive in this experiment. The indicators reveal internal changes as well as visible damage.
Practical reading: document the application
Our editorial reading starts with the project: where will the stone be installed, with which finish and exposure? A trade name alone cannot answer these questions. A documented selection benefits from identifiable test reports, sample provenance and details of the grade supplied. We do not turn an experiment into a number of service years or a judgement about every block from the quarry.
