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Forum URL: http://www.truefresco.com/cgidir/dcforum/dcboard.cgi
Forum Name: Fresco Painting (original forum)
Topic ID: 114
Message ID: 0
#0, Why not Silica?
Posted by Gary sculptari on 29-May-04 at 10:57 AM
I don't get why Ian the plasterer does not recommend using silica sand? The key is a 'sharp' sand - it must have lots of hard, sharp, jagged edges - this is where the strength is once they are compacted. Sharp silica sand is easily available from the sandblasting suppliers and the mason yards. Also, apparently, the silica is partially dissolved by the lime - and silicates are the strongest thing you can add to concrete. Flyash and pozzolans are silicates.

Pure silica is glass.

I have white marble sand, black 'slag' sand, dolomite sand, playground 'river'sand, ground polyester sand, none of them would be as good as silica or 'mason's' sand. For real high end lime mortar the silica sand is partially milled, like a grindstone type thing.