Thermal, mineralogical and chemical studies of the mortars used in the cathedral of Pamplona (Spain)

Different ancient mortar samples of Pamplona cathedral have been analysed t o characterize their binder and aggregate fractions. A complete characteriz ation has been carried out including chemical (complete macrochemical analy sis, analysis of the soluble fraction in hot HCl (1:5) and of the insoluble residue, trace elements and soluble salts, using traditional chemical proc edures, ion chromatography and spectrophotometry techniques), mineralogical (structural characterization, granulometric studies and X-ray diffraction) and thermal studies (simultaneous DTA and TG analysis). A lime binder with a silica aggregate has been established. The approximate original composit ions of the classes of mortars have been determined using the TG results. A good agreement with the other characterization techniques has been showed by the thermoanalytical techniques. An incomplete carbonation in a sample h as been discovered by the thermal analysis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.