Mortar Tests 24 months

TESTS ON PURE NHL MORTARS
Note:performance figures will vary using different sands. For example see figures on NHL 3.5 tested using a 3mm - 0.075 well graded common sand (Doyeaux).
1:2 1:2.5 1:3
NHL 5 NHL 3.5 NHL 2 NHL 5 NHL 3.5 NHL 3.5 NHL 2 NHL 5 NHL 3.5 NHL 2 Norm/method used for test
          Doyeaux sand          
Water content gr. 225 226 228 215 220 250 214 208 211 206  
Water/binder ratio 0.67 0.88 1.07 0.79 1.07 1.21 1.27 0.92 1.23 1.47  
Penetration mm 8 9.5 11 7.5 9 10 8.5 7 8.5 9.5 EN 459-2 Pr. 5.5.3
Set (beginning) h 4.3 5.3 8 3/4 3.3 6 6.15 9 3 6 9.3 EN 196.2 P. 6.2
Bulk density (no curing) kg/m3 2110 2110 2100 2115 2140 1975 2080 2105 2110 2100 EN 459.2 P. 5.8
Air content % 0 1.6 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 2 EN 459.2 P. 5.7
Elast. Moduli Mpa                      
  28 days   10800 9010 9025 11000 9000 8600 9800 10000 8970 9000 French Std. on one coat renders
  6 months   18000 16250 12600 17050 13505 12050 12030 16900 12450 11800
  12 months   18510 15280 12515 17280 13620   12030 16150 13150 11900  
  24 months   21500 17480 13375 18020 13785   12000 17540 13670 11750  
Flexural Strength Mpa                      
  7 days   0.53 0.43 0.28 0.38 0.31 0.28 0.31 0.4 0.28 0.25 as above
  28 days   0.9 0.73 0.74 0.8 0.48 0.45 0.73 0.66 0.65 0.72 as above
  6 months   2.2 2.18 1.28 1.75 1.7 1.3 1.2 1.55 1.38 1.08  
  12 months   2.4 2.25 1.3 2.2 2.05   1.25 1.8 1.5 1.05  
  24 months   2.51 2.6 1.41 2.3 2   1.15 2.05 1.53 1.05  
Compressive Strength MPa                      
  7 days   1.96 0.75 0.62 1 0.57 0.5 0.53 0.88 0.53 0.47 EN459-2 P. 5.1
  28 days   2.2 1.88 1.48 2 1.47 1.3 1.36 1.5 1.34 1.25  
  6 months   7.31 7.1 3.84 5.91 5.34 4.02 3 5.31 3.94 2.88  
  12 months   9.28 7.5 4 8.44 5.9   2.9 6.5 3.9 2.9  
  24 months   10.81 8.63 4.25 8.81 6   3 7.8 3.97 2.75  
Permeability @ complete carb.                       Fr. Std. for one coat renders
(gr. of air x m2 x hour x mmHg)   0.55 0.64 0.68 0.5 0.65   0.71 0.52 0.72 0.71
Shrinkage at 28 days mm.m1 0.17 0.59 0.75 0.13 0.44   0.6 0.15 0.25 0.51  
Water absorption l.h.m 2 3 4.5 10.5 3.2 7.3   12.1 5.5 9.4 15.4  
Capillarity g.min 0.88 1.18 3.05 2.54 4.7   7.84 4.61 6.3 8.7  
NHL / Putty lime blends
NHL 5/Putty/Sand NHL 3.5/Putty/Sand Norm/method used for test
  Blend ratio 0.9/0.1/3 0.7/0.3/3 0.5/0.5/3 0.9/0.1/3 0.7/0.3/3 0.5/0.5/3  
Water/binder ratio gr   1.2 1.07 1.03 1.04 1 0.95  
Penetration mm   7 10 11 8 12 13 EN459-2 P. 5.5.3
Set (beginning) h   3.5 5.25 9.5 6.5 8.5 10 EN 196-2 P. 5.8
Bulk density (no curing) kg/m3   2105 2040 2030 2070 2040 2020 EN 459-2 P. 5.8
Air content %   0 0 3 3 4 6 EN 459-2 P. 5.7
Elast. Moduli Mpa                
  28 days     11000 10020 8000 8400 8050 7510 French Std. on one coat renders
  6 months     16000 14000 13000 13200 12600 11000
  12 months     16510 14320 13020 13410 12900 11050  
  24 months     16500 13950 13220 14520 13010 10850  
Flexural Strength N/mm2                
  7 days     0.4 0.35 0.32 0.38 0.5 0.26 As above
  28 days     0.67 0.65 0.45 0.6 0.52 0.38  
  6 months     1.15 1.13 0.83 1.33 1.05 0.65  
  12 months     1.75 1.15 0.85 1.5 1.2 0.8  
  24 months     1.55 1.2 0.8 1.56 1.26 0.84  
Compressive Strength N/mm2                
  7 days     0.82 0.66 0.42 0.76 0.76 0.22 EN 459-2 P. 5.1
  28 days     1.4 1.1 0.6 1.3 1.1 0.75  
  6 months     4.8 3.95 2.97 3.9 3.63 2  
  12 months     5.3 4.1 2.8 4.8 4.4 3.75  
  24 months     5.25 4.31 2.85 4.75 4.55 2.65  
Permeability at complete Carb. (vapour exchange)              
  (gr of air  x m2 x hour x mmHg)   0.6 0.59 0.63 0.69 0.71 0.68 Fr. Std. on one coat renders
Shrinkage at 28 days mm.m1   0.25 0.6 0.84 0.35 0.67 0.89
Water absorption l.h.m 2 at compl. Carbonation 10 12.3 18 11.2 15.6 19.3  
Capillarity g.min at compl. Carbonation 4.41 8.72 12.94 9.95 10.2 13.75  
CEMENT / HYDRATED LIME / SAND
Blends   1:1:6 1:2:9 Norm/method used for test
Water content gr.   200 200  
Water/binder ratio     0.72 0.65  
Penetration mm   7 7 EN459-2 p. 5.5.3
Set (beginning) h   1.3 1 EN459-2 P. 6.2
Bulk density (no curing) kg/m3   2100 2100 EN459-2 P.5.8
Air content %   0 0 EN459-2 P. 5.7
Elast. Moduli Mpa       French Std. for one coat renders
  28 days     16200 15595
  6months     22010 19300 As above
  12 months     22210 19700  
  24 months     22150 19650  
Flexural Strength N/mm2        
  7 days     2.05 1.65  
  28 days     1.95 1.55 EN459-2 P. 5.1
  6 months     2.1 1.5  
  12 months     2.2 1.7  
  24 months     2.2 1.75  
Compressive Strength N/mm2        
  7 days     5.02 4.96  
  28 days     7.7 5.56  
  6 months     8.1 5.75  
  12 months     8.7 6.05  
  24 months     8.5 5.95  
Permeability (Vapour exch.  Gr of air x m2 x hour x mmHg 0.23 0.25 At complete carb
Shrinkage at 28 days mm.m1   0.63 0.42 French Std. for one coat renders
Water absorption l.h.m 2 at compl. Carbonation 0.23 0.25
Capilarity g.min at compl. Carbonation 1.08 6.86  

St.Astier Mortar tests : 24 months results

September 2000

Enclosed the final results as follows:

Sheet 1 : Test on NHL/Sand mixes (1:2  1:2.5  1:3)
Sheet 2 : Tests on NHL/Putty /Sand blends (NHL blended with Putty@ 10%  30%  50%)
Sheet 3 : Test on Cement/lime/sand mixes (1:1:6  1:2:9)

  • The proposed EU norms are conducted on mortars prepared with a binder/sand ratio of approx. 1:1.3. and Standard EU laboratory sand (ISO 679).
  • The tests below reflect the performance of mortars made with the same sand but with volumetric mixes that are commonly used.
  • Proctors air cured have been stored at constant 15 degrees C and 95% humidity.
  • Water addition was made to obtain the same workability on all mortars.

NOTES:

Compressive strenght in NHL mortars is achieved gradually, allowing for movement. This is due to the lack of cement. In cementitious mixes the hardening is much faster and mostly complete within 28 days.
Elasticity, which is so important to achieve joint free construction, is by far better in NHL mortars than cementitious mixes.
Shrinkage, capillarity and vapour exchange (permeability to air) also show better values than cementitious mixes.

The test on NHL/Putty blends shows the significant performance alteration that takes place Although this does not signify that these blends cannot be used, we think that the specifier should be aware of the related performance.

The initial set up of these test was done in consultation with Mrs. J. M. Teutonico of English Heritage, Mrs. P. Gibbons of The Scottish Lime Centre, Prof John Ashurst, Douglas Johnston and Arch. Stafford Holmes to whom we are grateful for their co-operation and suggestions.

For further Guidance, contact your St Astier Distributor.
Copyright © Setra Marketing Ltd. 2006