LIME

Definitions
Calcination (heating to redness in contact with air) Hydraulicity (property of lime by which it sets/hardens) Lime ( CaCO = CaO +CO2 ) Quick lime/caustic lime/lump lime (pure lime stone) Setting(process of hardening from paste different from drying) Slaked lime/hydrated lime (CaO + H2O = Ca(OH)2 + heat ) Slaking (cracks, swells and falls in to a powder form)
3

Types of lime
Fat lime Hydraulic lime
(i) Feebly hydraulic lime (ii)Moderately hydraulic lime (iii)Eminently hydraulic lime

Poor lime (impure lime/ more than 30% of clay/ thin paste with
water wont dissolve/hardens very slowly/poor binding properties)

comparison between fat lime and hydraulic lime

No Item Fat lime Hydraulic lime

1
2

Composition
Slaking action

Obtained from pure carbonate (5% clay)

Slakes vigorously (volume increases 2-2.5 times) sound +heat

Lime stone(5-30% clay) and some amount ferrous oxide

Slakes slowly (volume slightly increases) no sound and heat

Setting action
Hydraulicity

Sets slowly in air absorbs CO2 and forms calcium carbonate

no

Sets under water and forms crystals of hydrated tricalcium aluminate & dicalcium silicate
yes

5
6 7

Colour
Strength Uses

Perfect white
Not very strong Plastering, whitewashing, etc

Not so white as fat lime

Strong Mortar for thick walls, damp places ,etc.

Hydraulic lime
No 1 2 Item Clay content Slaking action Feebly hydraulic lime 5-10% Slakes after few minutes Moderately hydraulic lime 11-20% Eminently hydraulic lime 21-30%

Slakes after one or two Slakes with hour difficulty

3
4 5

Setting action

Sets in water in 3 weeks

One week
Moderate Mortar is strong hence can be use for superior masonry work

One day
Eminent Mortar is similar to ordinary cement hence can be use for damp places

Hydrauli Feeble city Uses Mortar is strong hence can be use for ordinary masonry work

Classification of lime (BIS:712-1984)

No Class Property Supply Compressive Use strength 14-28 days N/mm2 1.75 2.80 1.25 1.75 Structural purpose Masonry work 1 2 A B Eminently hydraulic Semi hydraulic Hydrated form only Quick lime or hydrated lime

3
4

C
D

Fat lime
Magnesium or dolomite lime

Quick lime or hydrated lime

Quick lime or hydrated lime

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Finishing coat in plastering

White wash

5
6

E
F

Kankar
Siliceous dolomite lime

Hydrated form only

Hydrated or quick form

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Masonry mortar
Under and finish coat of plaster

Manufacturing process
Collection of lime stone Calcination of lime stone
(i) Clamps (ii)Intermittent kilns (flare & flame) (iii) Continuous Kilns (flare & flame)

Slaking of burnt lime

slaking

Testing
Physical test (pure lime white/hydraulic lime bluish grey, brown
or some dark colour/taste of hydraulic lime stone clayey &earthy smell/ glistering surface-free sand/lumps-quicklime)

Heat test (difference in weight before and after heating indicate

weight of CO2)

Acid test (Hcl + powdered lime/ effervescence &less residue pure

lime / semisolid-A / jell-B / no jell-C)

Ball test (40mm size ball / 6 hours / in water slow expansion &
disintegration-C / little or no expansion and numerous cracks-class B )

Precautions in handling lime

Contact with water Facilities of workers (goggles & respirators/rubber gloves, gum
boots skin protective cream)

Fire hazard (quick lime slakes + heat) Instructions to workers (lime-fresh water/oil the skin)

uses of lime
Purification of water & sewage treatment Flux in metallurgical industry Matrix for concrete and mortar Refractory material for lining furnaces Used in production of glass Mortar for masonry works Plastering walls and ceilings Artificial stone ,lime sand brick, foam silicate products White washing and base coat for distemper Mixed with Portland cement