Effects of different drying temperatures on the physical and mechanical properties of some marbles (Muğla, Turkey) during salt crystallization tests

This study aims to understand the effects of drying temperatures during sodium sulphate salt crystallization tests on the physico-mechanical properties of some Muğla marbles. Four commercially available and extensively used Turkish marbles, namely Muğla white, Milas white, Derebag white and Milas Pearl, having different textural properties were subjected to sodium sulphate salt crystallization tests with 30, 60 and 100 °C drying temperatures. The change in the physico-mechanical properties of the marbles including weight, dry and saturated unit weights, water absorption, effective porosity, dry and saturated sonic velocities and dry uniaxial compressive strength has been determined for various stages of the salt crystallization tests. The results were evaluated in terms of drying temperatures and the textural properties of the marbles. Based on the test results, the salt crystallization with the drying temperature of 100 °C causes significant damage to all marbles. However, the drying temperature of the test at 60 °C gives rise to moderate damage, whereas the drying of the marbles at 30 °C gives the least damage. Therefore, the drying temperature of the salt crystallization tests should be less than 60 °C and preferably around 30 °C in order to avoid additional thermal effects on marbles. Furthermore, the fine-gained Milas pearl marble with irregular grain boundary is found to be the most resistant one against the salt crystallization.