Material Requirements for Embedded Parts in UHPC Component Installation: Analysis of Corrosion Resistance, Strength, and Compatibility

The material selection of embedded parts for UHPC component installation directly affects the safety and durability of connection joints, with core requirements concentrated on three dimensions: corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and compatibility with UHPC. Qinglong, a company holding Grade II professional contracting qualification for building curtain wall engineering, has accumulated mature experience in embedded part material selection across thousands of UHPC projects, providing assurance for the long-term stability of installation joints.

Corrosion resistance is the core requirement for embedded part materials, and selection must be precise according to the service environment. In outdoor, coastal salt-spray, or humid environments, embedded parts should be made of stainless steel (304 or 316L recommended). 304 stainless steel contains ≥18% chromium and ≥8% nickel, can resist ordinary atmospheric corrosion, and is suitable for most outdoor projects; 316L stainless steel, with added molybdenum, offers superior resistance to salt-spray and chemical corrosion, making it suitable for coastal and maritime climate projects. In the Poly Peninsula No. 1 project in Hainan, Qinglong selected 316L stainless steel embedded parts, which successfully withstood salt-spray erosion in the tropical marine environment, showing no rust after 5 years of use. In dry indoor environments, carbon steel embedded parts can be used, but hot-dip galvanizing treatment is required (galvanized coating thickness ≥85μm). Qinglong's carbon steel embedded parts undergo dual anti-corrosion treatment of passivation plus hot-dip galvanizing; their corrosion resistance meets the requirements of indoor projects, with a cost advantage over stainless steel.

Mechanical strength must match the load requirements of UHPC components to ensure connection safety. The tensile and shear strength of embedded parts should be no less than 80% of the UHPC component's own strength. Stainless steel embedded parts (304/316L) with tensile strength ≥520MPa and yield strength ≥205MPa can meet the installation requirements of most non-load-bearing UHPC components; for load-bearing components or large panels (area ≥8㎡), high-strength stainless steel or alloy steel with tensile strength ≥600MPa and yield strength ≥250MPa should be selected. In the 12㎡ UHPC large panel project at Shanghai New World, Qinglong adopted customized high-strength stainless steel embedded parts with pull-out resistance ≥10kN and shear resistance ≥8kN, ensuring the installation stability of large panels under wind loads and self-weight. In addition, the thickness of embedded parts must be determined through calculation based on load conditions, typically with steel plate thickness ≥10mm and anchor bar diameter ≥12mm, to prevent deformation or fracture of embedded parts due to insufficient thickness.

Compatibility with UHPC requires that embedded part materials do not affect UHPC performance and that the interface bond is firm. The embedded part material must be compatible with the alkaline environment of UHPC to avoid chemical reactions that cause UHPC strength degradation; both stainless steel and carbon steel (hot-dip galvanized) can meet this requirement. The surface of embedded parts needs roughening treatment (such as sandblasting or drilling) to increase the contact area with UHPC and enhance interfacial bonding; Qinglong's embedded parts have a surface roughness Ra ≥12.5μm, ensuring a firm mechanical interlock with the UHPC matrix. In the Yirui Biotechnology Building project in Shenzhen, the interfacial bond strength between embedded parts and UHPC reached ≥3.5MPa with no interfacial delamination, fully verifying the effectiveness of the compatibility design. In addition, the dimensions and positions of embedded parts must precisely match the installation joints of UHPC components. Qinglong uses BIM technology for embedded part positioning design with an error of ≤±2mm, ensuring precise alignment with the main structure during installation.

Qinglong's material selection for UHPC component embedded parts follows the principles of "environmental adaptation, strength matching, and performance compatibility," and has formed a standardized material selection system capable of providing customized solutions based on project environment, component type, and load conditions. In projects such as the Ouargla Hotel in Algeria and the Nanning New Media Center, through scientific material selection and refined design, all embedded part connection joints passed strict mechanical performance testing, ensuring long-term project safety. For designers and owners, the selection of embedded part materials should not be overlooked; choosing a supplier with material selection experience and quality control capabilities is key to installation joint safety. With 28 years of engineering practice experience, Qinglong provides reliable embedded part solutions for every project.