An Analysis on the Material Composition in Chettinad Lime Plasters

Since antiquity, lime plasters have been used to finish a variety of structures, including those built by the Egyptians, Romans, and Indians. The lime plasters utilised in India are unique from others because of the employment of various raw materials—inorganic and organic, depending on their availability. The present study focuses on the Chettinad plasters, comprising lime, sea shell powder, egg white, and jaggery, which are commonly seen in ancient structures in Southern India. It is used as a plaster in Chettinad houses and is found to give an extremely smooth finish and protect the structure from damage. In the current work, advanced microanalytical methods such as XRD and SEM are used to characterise the Chettinad plasters. Understanding the science in the manufacturing of these ancient binders helps in preparing compatible plasters during repair works.