The special characteristic of quicklime is its ability
to slake with water. When quicklime is mixed with from two to three times its
weight of water, a chemical reaction takes place. The calcium oxide combines
with water to form calcium hydroxide, and sufficient heat is evolved to bring
the entire mass to a boil. The resulting product is a suspension of finely divided
calcium hydroxide (and magnesium hydroxide or oxide if dolomitic lime is used)
in water. On cooling, the semifluid mass stiffens to a putty of such consistency
that it may be shoveled or carried in a hod. This slaked quicklime putty, when cooled
and preferably screened, is the material used in construction. Quicklime should
always be thoroughly slaked.
The yield of putty will vary, depending on the type of
quicklime, its degree of burning, and slaking conditions, and will usually be
from 70 to 100 ft3of putty per ton of quicklime. The principal use of the
putty is in masonry mortars, where it is particularly valuable because of the
high degree of plasticity or workability it imparts to the mortar. It is used
at times as an admixture in concrete to improve workability.
Quicklime is a very important material in many areas of industry, for example in construction or industrial area. Plus it has multiple production areas utilizades or quality.
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