Multi-Analytical Characterization of Corvins’ Castle—Deserted Tower. Construction Materials and Conservation Tests
Rodica Mariana Ion,
Lorena Iancu,
Madalina Elena David,
Ramona Marina Grigorescu,
Bogdan Trica,
Raluca Somoghi,
Sorina Florentina Vasile,
Ioana Daniela Dulama,
Anca Irina Gheboianu,
Sorin Tincu
Affiliations
Rodica Mariana Ion
Research Group “Evaluation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage”, National R&D Institute for Chemistry and Petrochemistry–ICECHIM, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Lorena Iancu
Research Group “Evaluation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage”, National R&D Institute for Chemistry and Petrochemistry–ICECHIM, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Madalina Elena David
Research Group “Evaluation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage”, National R&D Institute for Chemistry and Petrochemistry–ICECHIM, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Ramona Marina Grigorescu
Research Group “Evaluation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage”, National R&D Institute for Chemistry and Petrochemistry–ICECHIM, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Bogdan Trica
Research Group “Evaluation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage”, National R&D Institute for Chemistry and Petrochemistry–ICECHIM, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Raluca Somoghi
Research Group “Evaluation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage”, National R&D Institute for Chemistry and Petrochemistry–ICECHIM, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Sorina Florentina Vasile
Research Group “Evaluation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage”, National R&D Institute for Chemistry and Petrochemistry–ICECHIM, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Ioana Daniela Dulama
Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Science and Technology, Valahia University of Târgovişte, 13 Sinaia Alley, 130004 Târgovişte, Romania
Anca Irina Gheboianu
Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Science and Technology, Valahia University of Târgovişte, 13 Sinaia Alley, 130004 Târgovişte, Romania
The aim of this paper is to analyze the construction materials (mortars) of an architectural monument (Deserted Tower (Lilly Tower) from Corvins’ Castle, Romania). The mortars were characterized following a multidisciplinary approach, combining macroscopic observation with petrographic microscopy, mineralogical analysis (X-ray diffraction) and elemental analysis (X-ray fluorescence), hydric properties, and color of representative samples of the monument. The results revealed the use of gypsum mortars (produced by lumps with higher Fe content), with minor concentrations of crystalline dolomites of the Southern Carpathians, calcite, and quartz. The materials’ effective porosity and their water absorption capacity were high. A possible solution to consolidate the damaged area with some consolidation products (hydroxyapatite carbonate and its derivatives with Ag and Sr) was investigated, too. The interactions between the mortar’s specimens and the effectiveness of the consolidation treatments were evaluated by physico-chemical analyses (molecular structure by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF), dynamic light scattering (DLS)), morphological characterization by microscopic techniques as SEM-EDS, TEM, and physical and mechanical investigations (peeling test and compressive strength). Results were drawn based on historical, in situ observations, and analytical data, and put into evidence the composition, high weathering degree, and the possibility to surface consolidate with Sr-CHAp.
