Abstract
Methods/Materials
For each test, calcium oxalate is formed on the surface of the marble. Stage 1 - Tested calcium oxalate (Ca Ox) for protective capabilities against acid disintegration. Stage 2 - Compared Ca Ox protection to a professionaly used marble sealant. Stage 3 - Tested if spray application protects marble as well as a dipping application. Stage 4 - Tested effects of acid rain on Ca Ox protected marble. Stage 5 - Tested effectiveness of different application methods: dipping, spraying and rolling.
Results
Stage 1 - Ca Ox protects marble dipped in acids.
Stage 2 - Ca Ox protects marble 16 times better than a commercial sealant.
Stage 3 - A spray method is 6 times more protective than a dipping method.
Stage 4 - Ca Ox protects marble from acid rain.
Stage 5 - Results in progress.
Conclusions/Discussion
Ca Ox is an excellent protector of marble. Treated pieces have much more resistance to acids than untreated ones. Ca Ox has 16 times the protective effects of methods currently in practice. Spraying is a practical application method for large or intricate statues. Acid rain is much less destructive on calcium oxalate protected marble than untreated marble.
This project is to see if calcium oxalate is a useful method of protecting marble against deterioration caused by acids.
Science Fair Project done By Todd A. Karin