USES OF LIME

Lime can be used for the following purposes:

1. Lime mortar: Lime mortar has been extensively used in construction work from times immemorial. Lime mortar is used as a building medium in brick, stone and other masonry works as well as for plastering and pointing. The composition of the lime mortar for building work depends on:
   1. The type of masonry
   2. Situation/location of work
   3. Load which the masonry will have to take
   4. Condition of exposure to weather or soil conditions
   5. In case of hydraulic structures, weather conditions under water.
2. Plastering: Plastering serves the following functions:
   1. To smoothen the surface of masonry
   2. To protect the masonry surface from weathering
   3. To cover unevenness of masonry
   4. To prepare surface for decorative treatment.
3. Whitewashing: Whitewashing is applied on internal and external plastered surface as a decorative feature. Apart from decorative effect, the whitewashed outer surface reflects away the sun’s rays and reduces the heating effect.
4. Lime concrete: In situations where quick setting and high strength are not required, lime concrete serves as an economical substitute. Lime concrete can be used for foundation, terraced roofing, flooring, ditches for sullage water, etc.
5. Lime sand bricks: It is a pearl gray brick like dry pressed burnt clay brick. This can be used for low-cost constructions and as a refractory material for lining open hearth furnaces.
6. It is used as a chemical raw material in the purification of water and for sewage treatment.
7. It is used for soil stabilization and for improving soil for agricultural purposes.
8. It is used as a flux in the metallurgical industry.
9. It is used for the production of glass.