Study of water penetration inside rock materials by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Tomography: hydrophobic treatments effects

The penetration of water in rock materials is the main cause of deterioration of stone surfaces exposed to rainfall. The protection is generally achieved using water-repellents, in order to reduce the absorption of water. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides a new tool to visualize the presence of water inside the stone and, hence, the performance of hydrophobic treatments. This technique can also give indirect information on the distribution of the hydrophobic product inside the rock.