Architectural Ceramics: Difference between revisions
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== Decay patterns of architectural ceramics== | == Decay patterns of architectural ceramics== | ||
'''Deterioration of brickwork''' | '''Deterioration of brickwork/glazed terracotta''' | ||
Salt-induced damage to bricks is common. | Salt-induced damage to bricks is common, and can also be found in glazed architectural ceramics, such as glazed terracotta. | ||
Damage | Damage may appear as follows: | ||
Revision as of 13:48, 26 January 2013
Author: Hans-Jürgen Schwarz
English Translation by Sandra Leithäuser
Back to Decay Pattern
Abstract[edit]
Typical deterioration patterns for architectural ceramics are discussed and explained.
Decay patterns of architectural ceramics[edit]
Deterioration of brickwork/glazed terracotta
Salt-induced damage to bricks is common, and can also be found in glazed architectural ceramics, such as glazed terracotta.
Damage may appear as follows:
Glazed architectural ceramics
The glaze on building ceramics prevents the transport of moisture and salts. Often however, the glaze shows "crazing" (a fine network of fissures or cracks) allowing moisture transport through it. And therefore, if salts are present, they will crystallize around these fissures as well as below the glazing around them, leading to their spalling.
Some examples of salt-contaminated architectural ceramics are shown here.
Flaking[edit]
- Decay pattern on a brick of the St. Jakobi Church in Perleberg
Figure 1: The scaling surface of a damaged brick, caused by crystallizing salts.
Figure 2: Photo micrograph of a thin section in polarized light. The gray parallel crystals are gypsum.
Figure 3: Photo micrograph as Fig 2 with crossed polars. It is clearly visible that the gypsum is causing the damage to the brick, however, it also serves as filler, holding the flaking pieces in place. If the gypsum would be removed, the original surface of the brick would be lost.
-Ausschnitt.jpg)
Weathering[edit]
- Damage to a building in Lüneburg
Figure 4: Salts causing damage to a molded brick
Figure 5: Salt action under a coat of paint resulting in its detachment and disintegration of the brick.
Efflorescences[edit]
- Efflorescences on architectural ceramics
Figure 6: Salt efflorescence on a flagstone.
Figure 7: Carbonate salts incrustation on a pillar resulting from the leaching of cement slurry injections.
Figure 8: Crystallizing salts accentuate the crazing of a glazed tile. Gradually, the salts will induce the glaze to spall off.
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