Mineralogical, chemical and thermal characterisations of ancient mortars of the church of Santa María de Irache Monastery (Navarra, Spain)

Abstract

Ancient mortars used in the construction of the church of Santa María de Irache monastery have been studied. With the aim to characterise their binder and aggregate fractions, a complete characterisation has been carried out including chemical (rapid analysis, soluble salts and trace elements), mineralogical (structural characterisation and X-ray diffraction, XRD) and thermal studies (simultaneous differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis, TGA-DTA). Lime binder, lime with dolomite phases and mixed mortars (lime and gypsum) have been determined. The approximate original composition of these classes of mortars have been presented. Advice about the employment of repair materials in a restoration are given.