The Effect of Temperature on Limestone of Fatha Formation from Mosul City, N-Iraq

In this study, limestone specimens of Fatha Formation from Mosul City are subjected to a variety of physical, mechanical, and chemical testing to determine the effect of high temperatures on limestone. In order to compare with fresh specimens, limestone specimens were subjected to a wide range of temperatures, beginning at 100 C and increasing gradually to 200, 300, 400, 600, and even 800 C. At 300, 400, 600, and 800 C. Color changes occurred in the limestone specimens' exterior appearance. At temperatures between 100 and 400 C, the following parameters are steadily reduced: weight loss, apparent density, uniaxial compressive strength, and ultrasonic pules velocity. This study also shows that at 600800 C, there is a considerable increase in total porosity, forced water absorption, and capillary water rise characteristic. Furthermore, the findings of macroscopic examinations of the physical and mechanical characteristics of the examined specimens are validated by pH, electrical conductivity, and even by the microscopic investigations of the internal structure of the thin-section and for the limestone specimens. The XRD analysis shows that no changes occurred in the mineral composition when the temperature varied between 100 and 600 C, despite similarities in the X-ray diffraction patterns of the limestone specimens. At end, the current study has used a variety of physical, mechanical, and chemical experiments to determine the effective fire temperature. Temperatures between 100 and 400 C are found to have minimal effect on the behavior of the limestone specimens. On the other hand, the influence at temperatures higher than 600800 C on the behavior of the limestone specimens is significant.