Saint Astier Natural Hydraulic Lime Products
St. Astier pure and natural hydraulic limes (NHL) have been in production for over 150 years. The characteristics of the raw materials are unique and consist of an undisturbed layer of calcareous rock infiltrated mainly by silica with only traces of other minerals. Millions of tons have been used successfully on a global scale, in the most diverse climatic conditions.
NHL 2
Pure and natural hydraulic lime, feebly hydraulic, used when elasticity, low strength or high vapor exchange are desirable.
Recommended applications: finishes, mortars for weak stonesClick here for a detailed product descriptionNHL 2 Feebly Hydraulic lime is used for applications such as the consolidation of frail historic masonry. It can be used where the highest amount of "free lime" is desired along with the greatest modulus of elasticity for applications such as when fine sand is added to make interior finish coats of lime plaster. It can be used to make very soft pointing mortars for repairing around friable historic masonry where the wicking away of water from the brick or stone to the lime mortar joint and out to the atmosphere is greatly encouraged. NHL 2 closely duplicates the material used for the majority of all building history as it is like lime putty in many of its properties. Traditional lime putty sets with air to fully cure over a six week period and it is referred to as an "Air Lime." NHL 2 sets with air and water and cures in about four days and is referred to as a "Water Lime."
Cured NHL 2 is about as hard as a piece of chalkboard chalk. Mixes containing NHL 2 and 1-2% casein powder can make an injection grout that will flow into every interstice in cavities behind plaster if you are considering exterior historic stucco re-attachment to re-establish the bond of the back of the stucco to the masonry substrate. Grout injections with NHL 2 can also be used to stabilize masonry before repointing. Consider using casein as the catalyst to increase flow rather than pulverized fly ash (PFA) since PFA is a pozzolan. Tests done on lime mortars modified with PFA raise the question as to whether run-away strengths may continually increase with on going densification of the lime/PFA grout. Increased densification may possibly trap moisture in cavities filled with lime and PFA.
NHL 3.5
Pure and natural hydraulic lime, moderately hydraulic, recommended when moderate strengths and better freeze-thaw resistance are required.
Recommended applications: base coats, stone workClick here for a detailed product descriptionNHL 3.5 Moderately Hydraulic lime is used for applications such as laying or repointing brick, stone and terra cotta units even in extreme freeze-thaw climate cycles. It can be used to make scratch, brown and finish coats of exterior stucco or interior plaster. It has a significantly high "free lime" content that is responsible for self-healing mortars. The available free lime goes into solution during subsequent rains and then re-crystallizes across open fissures as is characteristic of historic pure lime mortars. NHL maintains a hexagonal plate crystal structure which allows the plates to go in between each other for greater flexural ability. Portland cement has a needle-like crystal structure which is brittle and must incorporate many control joints to strategically control cracking. NHL 3.5 is designated as a moderately hydraulic lime and will reach over 750 p.s.i. in six months when blended with 2-1/2 parts clean, sharp and well-graded sand. Most all above grade interior and exterior brickwork and stonework built with modern cement is recommended to be built using a Type N cement mortar, which reaches at least 750 p.s.i. in 28 days. Since modern designs call for structurally supporting steel or retaining walls made of concrete or concrete blocks laid with strong cement mortars, NHL mortars can be used for all of the veneer work, stucco and repointing where the old-world look, feel and properties of lime mortar is desired.
NHL 5
Pure and natural hydraulic lime, eminently hydraulic, specified when strength and high freeze-thaw resistance are necessary.
Recommended applications: slabs, mortars for hard stoneClick here for a detailed product descriptionNHL 5 Eminently Hydraulic lime is used for applications such as building or repairing wall head copings, pointing and parging the water table or foundation of a building and making lime concrete. Sea-bearing walls can be built and repaired with NHL 5 since it has only trace amounts of soluble salts such as Potassium Oxide, Sodium Oxide and tri-calcium aluminates. This diminishes sulphate attack which normally happens in mortars prepared with Portland cement or where white cement has been introduced into synthetically created hydraulic lime at the time of manufacturing to ensure a hydraulic set. When Portland cement is present, you will find a high percentage of tri-calcium aluminates which will react with the sulphates thus producing an overall expansion and the eventual disintegration of the mortar or concrete especially in marine environments.
St. Astier's Pure and Natural Hydraulic Lime is formed naturally by the presence of reactive silica which is caught up into the limestone deposit making it a truly pure naturally occurring siliceous hydraulic lime. Portland cement is an extreme form of "Hydraulic Lime", whereby it will also set with water and under water. Portland cement however is known to have many of the adverse chemical reactions as noted above, a brittle nature and releases tremendous amounts of Carbon Dioxide into the environment in its production over the equal amount of NHL 5. Specifiers should be aware of Argillaceous Hydraulic Limes where clay is naturally occurring or added to make these limes become hydraulic and what consequences may result from their inappropriate applications.
EcoMortar EF-2
Premix based on pure and natural hydraulic lime (NHL 2) and extra fine sand.
Recommended applications: for plastering finish coats. Color packs for the EcoMortar EF-2 are available in a wide range of colors.
EcoMortar EF-3.5
Premix based on pure and natural hydraulic lime (NHL 3.5) and extra fine sand.
Recommended applications: for plastering finish coats. Color packs for the EcoMortar EF-3.5 are available in a wide range of colors.
EcoMortar F-2
Premix based on pure and natural hydraulic lime (NHL 2) and fine sand.
Recommended applications: for masonry work, plastering finish coats. Color packs for the EcoMortar F-2 are available in a wide range of colors.
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EcoMortar F-3.5
Premix based on pure and natural hydraulic lime (NHL 3.5) and fine sand.
Recommended applications: for masonry work, plastering finish coats. Color packs for the EcoMortar F-3.5 are available in a wide range of colors.
EcoMortar G-B
Premix based on pure and natural hydraulic lime (NHL 3.5) and coarse sand.
Recommended applications: masonry work, pointing, dubbing out, and brown coats on plaster and rough finish coats.
EcoMortar G-S
Premix based on pure and natural hydraulic lime (NHL 3.5) and coarse sand.
Recommended applications: masonry work, pointing, dubbing out, and first or scratch coats of plaster.
Stone Repair Material, Lithomex
Lithomex is a premix material based on Natural Hydraulic Lime specially formulated for the repair of stone.
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LimePaint
Traditional, vibrant and beautiful, it's wonderful surface glow has been unsurpassed in modern paints and imitation coatings.
Recommended applications: painting, coatings
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Venetian Plaster, Decoliss
DECOLISS is a pre-mixed lime mortar developed to achieve a flat or polished surface. It consists of natural lime, fine granulometry aggregates, including talc, and additives to prevent shrinkage and tearing. It does not contain cement or other pozzolanic components.
Decofond
DECOFOND is a premixed lime mortar specially designed as a base coat for irregular, or heterogeneous, interior walls. It may also be used as a smooth finish coat on interior or exterior walls.
Lime Putty, Décorchaux
Saint Astier Décorchaux CL90 lime putty is a high-purity product selected by Saint Astier for its extreme fineness and whiteness. Décorchaux is an aged, slaked, hydrated lime with an exceptional plasticity.
Marius Fabre Black Soap
Marius Fabre Black Soap is a traditional, pure vegetable soap, which stays true to the tradition of the original soap made by the Gauls and Romans. It is a vital ingredient in the art of fine lime plaster finishes and particularly Tadelakt.
Recommended applications: mixes with lime to create a visual shine, also has many other household uses
Visit www.black-soap.us for more information
