Can UHPC Shapes Achieve Gradient Color Effects? Coloring Techniques and Qinglong Group's Color Art Expression

Color gradient effects in UHPC shapes can be achieved with exceptional durability and artistic expressiveness, primarily through three technical approaches: "through-body coloring, surface spraying, and digital printing." Qinglong Group has successfully applied color gradient technology in projects such as the "Starry Sky" translucent panels at Shanghai Century Plaza and the rainbow façade of the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center: for natural, soft gradients, a layered-casting through-body coloring process is used, incorporating different proportions of mineral pigments in different batches or different areas of the same batch to achieve seamless transitions; for precisely controlled pattern gradients, CNC spraying robots perform multi-axis linked painting, achieving color transition precision of ΔE≤2.0; the latest technology also enables digital inkjet printing, which prints design patterns directly onto the UHPC substrate at resolutions up to 1440dpi. In an art museum project in Shenzhen, the UHPC color gradient panels we produced underwent a 3,000-hour accelerated aging test with a color difference change of ΔE≤3.0, demonstrating their outstanding weather resistance. Color gives UHPC art greater vitality.

Through-Body Coloring for Intrinsic Gradients

Through-body coloring involves adding pigments directly into the UHPC mix, so the color runs from the inside out, offering the best durability. Achieving gradients requires precise control of the material feeding sequence and mixing process—for example, using a twin-shaft mixer to feed slurry of different colors into different zones, with transition bands formed by controlling the mixing time. This method delivers rich, fade-proof color, but the fineness of transitions is relatively limited, making it more suitable for large-scale, soft gradient effects.

Surface Coating for Precise Patterned Gradients

Surface coating offers extremely high flexibility. With a multi-layer spraying system of primer, topcoat, and clear varnish, extremely rich colors and gradient effects can be achieved. Robotic spraying allows precise control of the spray gun's path, flow rate, and atomization to achieve smooth, uniform color transitions. Fluorocarbon or polyurethane paints can maintain their color for more than 20 years. This method is suitable for complex patterns and fine gradients.

Digital Printing for Unlimited Creative Possibilities

Digital inkjet printing technology is a revolutionary advance. Like an ordinary printer, it prints digital patterns directly onto treated UHPC substrates. It can reproduce virtually any image, photo, or pattern with unlimited colors and incomparably delicate gradients. Although its abrasion resistance and weather resistance are slightly lower than through-body coloring, with a protective coating applied, it can fully meet the requirements of most building façades. This provides architects with unprecedented creative freedom.