- Author
-
Kessler, D. W.
|
Anderson, R. E.
- Title
- Influence of the Wash From Bronze on the Weathering of Marble.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
- Report
-
BMS 137,
1953,
13 p.
- Keywords
-
bronze
|
weather effects
|
rainfall
|
structures
|
monuments
|
degradation
|
tests
- Abstract
- This investigation was made to determine whether rain water flowing over bronze work and then over marble in monuments or other structures causes deterioration of the marble. Experimental work included exposure tests, extending over a period of 13 1/2 years, in which many specimens of a white calcite marble were exposed to the wash from three bronzes of typical compositions. Tests for flexural strength, abrasive resistance, absorption, and bulk density were made on some of the specimens after expsoure periods of 5, 10, and 13 1/2 years to determine the changes in test values. Several buildings and monuments were inspected where various marbles had been exposed to the wash from bronze for periods ranging from 20 to 98 years. It was found that some marbles are not appreciably injured by such conditions, whereas others showed advanced stages of disintegration within a period of 30 years. Some marbles develop both green and brown discolorations, and disintegration usually occurs in the brown areas. The green staining matter does not appear to have any appreciable affect on the durability of marble. Treatment of the marble with molten paraffin to seal the pores does not prevent discoloration except for a period of 2 or 3 years. Tests indicated that this treatment materially reduces the flexural strength and abrasive resistance of marble.