Aglime (CLS42)

Description

Aglime (CLS42) is available in 25 Kg & 1 Tonne bags. We have deliberately separated it from the other sands listed on the website as it has very different characteristics and isn’t necessarily suitable for most general building work. It has the following uses:

Agricultural Lime

Aglime is a soil pH modifier, it is used to raise the pH of soil and counter any acidity present. Acidic soils can develop from the source rock like granites, from degradation of organic material, or even from acid rain; it can reduce crop yields as well as prevent some flower types from growing. It also helps to reintroduce calcium and a small amount of magnesium back into the soil, which are elements often absorbed by various plant types and washed out by rain.

Addition rate depends on how acidic and how coarse the soil is but a guide of 0.6-1Kg per square meter is usually a good starting point. For very highly acidic areas with clay-like soil, addition rates can be up to 2Kg a square meter. Aglime needs to be mixed through and turned into the soil in order to get the best effect.

Mortar Addition

Limestone aggregates can be used as part of a mortar to increase the calcium carbonate content of a mortar increasing the vapour permeability, capillary action and flexibility of a mortar. The limestone also acts as a catalyst to carbonation as a porous particulate.

Due to the high fines content it is very dependent on the sand it’s being blended with as to an appropriate addition rate, but blends done here at Cornish Lime have indicated anywhere between a 5 and 20% replacement of standard aggregate with the CLS42 is effective whilst limiting additional shrinkage. Putty mortars are able to take higher replacement rates as they can be re-tempered if there is any additional latent shrinkage.

Hot Mixed Mortars

The notable exception for use as a mortar aggregate is using the CLS42 as a sole aggregate in hot mixed mortars. Hot mixes need a higher fines content to mop up the extra free lime to limit shrinkage and our research has shown that the CLS42 works extremely well giving a good mortar with limited to no shrinkage. In our test it gave a very light off-white coloured mortar with a  coarse texture when finished with a beaten back face.