Testing and Specialized Treatments
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The successful filling of voids in slates is one of the more challenging aspects of stone conservation. In strong sun, these stones can get too hot to touch; and any delaminated areas tend to expand as the temperature rises. We have had ongoing field tests for a number of years with good results. |
 At the Congressional Cemetery in Washington DC Field testing the results of HCT consolidation treatment on marble. |
 Saint-Gaudens Temple, Cornish, NH |
| Cracks and losses are filled with cementitious mortars pigmented to match the clean stone. Occasionally the fills are in-painted to match the surface color. |
 In-painting filled crack. St, Michael's cemetery, Pensacola, FL |
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In-painting black lettering. Washington’s Tomb, Mount Vernon, VA |
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Filling a void in a brown sandstone marker caused by delaminations. A super plasticizer was used to make the pigmented mortar flowable. Backer rod is used to fill the sides. On large voids, this procedure has to be done in “lifts” |
| In-painting filled crack. “LW” cornerstone. Mount Vernon, VA |
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Field application of stone samples placed in mock wall. Hampton Court Palace, Richmond upon Thames, England |
| Using ultrasound pulse velocity to determine soundness of stone before and after treatment. |
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Field testing the results of HCT consolidation on Reigate stone in the Tower of London
| MCC has the use of the MCC Materials testing laboratory. |  |
