Comparative study of alteration of the weight in the marble type café tabaco through salt crystalization test by sodium sulfate

Abstract

This study has the purpose to determine the percentage of weight loss in the marble type Café Tabaco extracted from the quarry located in Agua de la Luna, Tepexi de Rodríguez, Puebla, Mexico, through a salt crystallization test by sodium sulfate. For the test, 4 groups of 12 cubic specimens with a dimension of 50±0.5mm on each side were used. The test consisted of drying the specimens at a temperature of 60°C for 16 hours, then cooled to room temperature for 2 hours, and finally they were immersing in sodium sulfate solution in percentages of 10%, 14% and 20% for 6 hours. This drying, cooling and immersion process was repeat for 15 cycles. The result obtained in this study was that marble type Café Tabaco has a weight loss percentage of 7.54%; therefore, it presents a significantly large change in its weight capable of decreasing its resistance properties, its brightness and its aesthetic beauty. In conclusion, this material is not recommended for outdoor use in contaminated environments. However, the use of coatings would mitigate this weight loss; therefore, mitigate the loss of their properties.