How Is the Texture Effect of UHPC Shaped Surfaces Achieved Through Molds?

The texture effects on UHPC shaped surfaces are achieved through molds—a replication art that integrates "digital modeling, precision machining, material transfer, and surface post-processing," whose fidelity and fineness directly determine the final texture of a building. Through four technical pillars—"high-fidelity digital sculpting, composite mold technology, customized release agents, and controlled casting processes"—Qinglong Group can precisely replicate everything from the growth rings of natural wood and chisel marks on stone to the weave of fabrics and even an artist's brushstrokes. In the Panzhihua Third-Front Construction Museum project in Sichuan, using CNC-engraved molds with surface sandblasting treatment, we achieved UHPC stone-imitation effects with a fidelity of over 95%, comparable to natural stone in both touch and appearance.

High-precision mold cavity engraving is the cornerstone of texture replication. Achieving texture depends first on the form of the mold's inner surface. Qinglong uses five-axis linkage CNC machines that can engrave extremely fine patterns directly into mold steel with an accuracy of up to ±0.1mm. For highly complex or soft original textures (such as bark or fabric), 3D scanning is used to capture their digital models, which are then processed via CNC. For components requiring mass production with deep textures, more durable steel molds are often made as master molds, from which production GRP molds or polyurethane molds are cast to ensure texture consistency and mold cost-effectiveness.

Composite mold technology and special in-mold treatment are the key to achieving highly demanding textures. For deep reliefs, negative angles, or textures requiring extreme detail, a single mold material may not suffice. Qinglong employs composite mold technology—for example, the mold body is made of GRP to ensure overall rigidity, while silicone modules are embedded in fine-texture areas to facilitate demolding and protect texture integrity. In addition, by sandblasting, etching, or applying special texture agents to the mold surface, the microscopic roughness of the mold surface can be altered, giving UHPC components a full range of finishes from fine matte to rugged rough surfaces.

Customized release agents and casting processes guarantee perfect transfer. A quality release agent not only ensures smooth demolding but also influences the surface luster of UHPC. Based on different texture depths and surface effect requirements, Qinglong selects different types of release agents, such as water-based, oil-based, or resin-based. When casting or spraying UHPC, process parameters such as vibration frequency, amplitude, and duration must be strictly controlled to ensure the ultra-high performance concrete slurry fully fills every minute corner of the mold texture, while avoiding over-vibration that would cause segregation between slurry and aggregate—thereby precisely replicating every detail on the mold and achieving the artistic effect envisioned in the design.