Investigation of the Effect of Water Repellent Chemical Coating Material on the Mechanical Properties of Nevsehir Stone

Ignimbrite stone, mined in and around the Urgüp region of Nevsehir (Türkiye), is a stone specific to the pyroclastic rock type. This stone was used in the construction of historical buildings and monuments in the past. Destructions occur in historical buildings built with Nevsehir stone, depending on weather conditions and environmental factors. Destructions in stones cause the strength performance of historical buildings to decrease. For this reason, protective coatings are being developed for building stones to prevent the destruction of historical buildings and to make them resistant to weather conditions. However, correct identification of the effects of these protective coatings on the structural properties of the stone is important in designing restoration strategies. In this study, the effect of solvent-based acrylic resin-based water-repellent chemical coating material on the mechanical properties of Nevsehir stone was investigated. To determine the durability of acrylic resin coated stones against atmospheric conditions; sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) test, salt crystallization test and freeze-thaw tests were performed. These tests were carried out on stones with and without a water-repellent coating. In addition, a pressure test was conducted to compare the weathering resistance properties of stones with and without a water-repellent coating and the original values of Nevsehir stones without any physical tests. As a result of the experiments, a significant improvement was achieved in the mechanical resistance and weather resistance of stones with water-repellent coating, compared to stones without coating. Due to the durability and mechanical resistance of acrylic resin coated stones against atmospheric factors, they contribute to the prevention of damage that may occur due to environmental conditions in historical buildings built with Nevsehir stone.