How Are Biomimetic GRC Textures Achieved? Nature Replication and Qinglong Group's Surface Treatment Techniques

Bionic GRC texture realization (such as imitating natural textures like wood, stone, leather, and woven materials) is a comprehensive surface treatment technology that integrates “digital acquisition, high-precision transfer, material adaptation, and color control.” In projects such as Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom and the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center, Qinglong Group has successfully replicated diverse natural textures including bamboo weaving, wood, and sandstone, achieving a fidelity of over 95%. Its core technical process is: first, geometric and color data of the original texture are captured through 3D scanning (precision 0.1mm); then a highly elastic, food-grade silicone rubber is used to cast a negative mold; during GRC casting or spraying, slurry rheology is controlled to ensure fine textures are fully filled; finally, surface coloring or protective treatment enhances realism. In the “Hibiscus Petal” project at Changsha Meixi Lake, the wood texture we achieved feels authentic to the touch and is visually indistinguishable from the real thing. Making concrete “grow” natural textures is the sublimation of material art.

High-Fidelity Digital Acquisition and Data Processing

The starting point of texture restoration is the accurate acquisition of digital information from natural prototypes. We use high-resolution 3D scanners (such as blue-light scanners) to capture the micro-relief of sample surfaces, with point cloud density reaching 0.05mm. Meanwhile, a spectrophotometer is used to record color spectral data. The acquired digital models require repair and optimization—for example, converting the cluttered scanned point clouds into orderly, drivable texture maps and ensuring seamless transitions at seams.

Silicone Mold Transfer Technology and Precision Control

With their excellent detail replication and demolding performance, silicone molds have become the first choice for texture transfer. We use platinum-cured silicone with moderate hardness (Shore A 20-30), which shrinks minimally after curing (≤0.1%) and can perfectly replicate fine textures of 0.2mm and above. In production, liquid silicone is poured over the master mold, degassed under vacuum, and cured to form a negative mold. This mold serves as a lining embedded in the production steel mold.

GRC Slurry Adaptation and Forming Process

Molds with fine textures place higher demands on GRC slurry. The slurry must have good flowability (spread ≥600mm) to fill fine grooves, while also having sufficient cohesion to prevent segregation and bleeding. We optimize performance by adjusting the type and dosage of water reducers and by adding viscosity modifiers (such as cellulose ether). During spray forming, the spray gun angle, distance, and moving speed are controlled to ensure clear textures free of air bubbles.

Surface Coloring and Post-Treatment to Enhance Realism

Integral coloring ensures texture durability; we mix inorganic mineral pigments together with cement and aggregates. For wood-imitation and stone-imitation effects requiring richer color layers, surface coloring techniques are used, such as spraying, brushing, and color rubbing, to simulate the color variation and mineral crystal distribution of natural materials. Finally, hydrophobic protective agents or fluorocarbon topcoats are applied to enhance weather resistance and texture. In a project in Nanning, the stain resistance of imitation sandstone panels was improved by 300% through surface treatment.

The realization of bionic textures is a crystallization of digital technology, materials science, and craftsmanship. Through a systematic surface treatment system, Qinglong Group enables GRC to display artistic expressiveness that transcends its inherent material qualities.