It is the lime containing small quantities of silica, alumina and iron oxide, which are jointly in chemical composition with calcium oxide. Hydraulic lime can set and become hard even in the absence of CO2 and can set even under water. This is also known as water lime.
Based on the percentage of clay, lime may be classified as (i) Feebly hydraulic lime, (ii) Moderately hydraulic lime and (iii) Eminently hydraulic lime. The increase in clay content makes slaking difficult and increases the hydraulic properties.
The uses of hydraulic lime are as follows:
- It can set under water and in thick walls where there is no free circulation of air.
- As it contains about 30% of clay, it resembles that of cement and can be used for major civil engineering works.
- It forms a thin paste with water.
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