Porosimetric and particle-size measurements by small-angle neutron scattering

A small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) study was carried out on typical building stones widely used in north-eastern Sicily in several architectonic contexts, aimed at measuring the particle and pore-size distribution in view of stone treatment by protective (Hydrophase) and/or consolidant (Ethyl silicate) agents. Samples of quartzite, sandstone, calcarenite and marble exhibit particle and pore-size dimensions that are inversely proportional to the porosimetric values of the stones. The particle size of treated stones varies in an analogous way to the grain size of the blank samples. The present paper aims to find a correlation between particle size and porosity in building stones used in ancient monuments. The relationship between particle size and porosity is investigated using SANS techniques, which are applied to characterize the physical, mechanical and thermal behaviour of single mineral grains belonging to different lithologies.