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slaking

Slaking is the process of combining a substance with water to form a hydrated product. In industrial and chemical contexts, the term is most often used for lime slaking, the hydration of calcium oxide (quicklime) with water to yield calcium hydroxide (slaked lime). The reaction CaO + H2O → Ca(OH)2 is highly exothermic and must be fed slowly to control temperature and prevent splashing. Slaked lime can be sold as hydrated lime or as a dry powder, and it can be further processed to form various binders. In construction, slaked lime is used in mortars and plasters, and in limewashing; in environmental and water-treatment work, it is used to neutralize acidity and to treat effluents.

A separate sense of the term appears in geology and soil science: slaking describes the disintegration and

In everyday language, slaking also means satisfying a need or desire, especially thirst, as in slaking one’s

weakening
of
certain
rocks
or
clay-rich
soils
when
immersed
in
water.
Slaking
can
reduce
soil
and
rock
strength
and
influence
the
durability
of
foundations
and
earthworks.
The
rate
and
extent
of
slaking
depend
on
mineralogy,
texture,
moisture,
and
temperature,
and
are
sometimes
assessed
with
specific
slaking
tests
in
geotechnical
investigations.
thirst.
The
verb
is
commonly
used
in
phrases
related
to
hydration
and
relief,
and
the
noun
form
is
associated
with
hydrated
lime
in
industrial
contexts.