Fat Lime

It is the lime which has high calcium oxide content. This can set and become hard only in the presence of carbon dioxide. This is white in colour.

This lime is also called high-calcium lime, pure lime, rich lime or white lime. It is mostly called fat lime as it slakes vigorously. By this process, the volume is increased two-fold.

It is obtained by calcining pure carbonate of lime, which contains about 95% of calcium oxide. The percentage of impurities will be less than 5%.

It has the following specific properties:

1. Very slowly hardening
2. High degree of plasticity and
3. Soluble in water.

The uses of fat lime are as follows:

1. It is used as lime mortar (lime and sand) for plastering and pointing works.
2. It is used for white washing of plastered surfaces.
3. Lime surkhi mortar is used for thick masonry walls, foundations, etc., where surkhi is the powder obtained by grinding burnt bricks.