Characterization of 16th and 18th century building materials from Veracruz City, Mexico

Abstract

A study was made of samples of building materials of the Fortress of San Juan de Ulua (16th century) and of the Portal de Miranda (18th century) in Veracruz City, Mexico. One of these materials, known as ‘mucara’ stone, analyzed by means of stereoscopic and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, neutron activation, atomic absorption spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence and thermogravimetry, was identified as the skeleton of the coral Diploria strigosa, whose main component is aragonite. The Vickers microhardness number, real and apparent densities and the porosity of coral skeleton were determined and real density value agrees with aragonite values. The building mortar used in the Portal de Miranda was also analyzed.