Caracterización de la Fábrica de Ladrillo del Palacio del Infante Don Luis, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid

Brickwork from the Palacio del Infante Don Luis Antonio de Borbón (Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, 18^th century) has been characterised, as well as the conservation degree of the materials has been determined. The original brick is of low quality and its mineralogical paragenesis shows firing temperatures of 750-850° C. Its high water absorption capacity and porosity are responsible for its characteristic alteration and disgregation. Restoration brick is of better quality, fired at higher temperatures (∼900° C). In relation to the original mortar, it is a lime one, with a relation close to 1:2; aggregates are plurimineral and an average grain size of 1,50 mm. Mortars from following restorations are different from the original ones, not in composition, practically the same with the exception of the most modern mortar which is cement-based, but in their dosification and in the aggregates grain size, as well as in the finishing of the joint. Repointing of the original brickwork, together with the presence of water (dampness), and the low quality of brick due to an insuficient and heterogeneous firing, are resposible of the deterioration the brick undergoes.