Cause Analysis and Solutions for Air Bubbles on UHPC Component Surfaces

Details determine quality, professionalism builds trust—28 years of industry experience, with Qinglong safeguarding the quality of UHPC components.

In the field of architectural decoration, UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete) has become the preferred material for high-end projects such as grand theaters and commercial complexes, thanks to its outstanding mechanical properties and artistic expressiveness. However, air bubble issues on component surfaces may affect their aesthetics and durability, becoming a focal concern for designers and owners. As an industry leader with 28 years of deep expertise in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group draws on its full-chain service experience to thoroughly analyze the causes of air bubbles and provide systematic solutions, empowering high-quality industry development.

1. Analysis of the Core Causes of Air Bubble Formation in UHPC Components

The unique nature of UHPC material determines the complexity of the air bubble problem. In terms of material proportions, an imbalanced particle gradation of components such as cement and silica fume in the cementitious material system can easily lead to excessive slurry viscosity, making entrapped air difficult to expel; improper speed control or insufficient mixing time in the mixing process prevents introduced air bubbles from escaping effectively. In the production stage, inadequate mold surface treatment and uneven application of release agent may cause localized air bubble retention; insufficient vibration compaction prevents internal air bubbles from rising to the surface, with defects more likely to occur especially at the complex corners of irregularly shaped components. In addition, fluctuations in ambient temperature and humidity, as well as unreasonable curing regimes, may also aggravate air bubble formation.

2. Full-Process Control: Technical Breakthroughs in Qinglong's UHPC Air Bubble Solutions

To address the air bubble problem, Qinglong has built a trinity control system of "materials–process–management" based on the technical expertise of its national-level R&D center. In terms of material optimization, the optimal mix proportion is determined through orthogonal tests, nano-scale mineral admixtures are used to improve slurry fluidity, and specialized air-entraining agents precisely regulate bubble size and distribution. In the production stage, BIM technology is introduced for in-depth mold design to ensure the smoothness of cavity surfaces, and a vacuum-assisted molding process is adopted to enhance compactness. During the construction stage, Qinglong's original "layered vibration + ultrasonic testing" process, combined with a digital monitoring system that tracks the internal condition of components in real time, keeps the bubble defect rate below 0.5%.

3. Industry Empowerment: From Problem Solving to Value Creation

As a participating unit in drafting the industry standard "General Technical Requirements for Non-Load-Bearing Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) Components," Qinglong not only solves its own production problems but also drives industry-wide quality upgrades. Through an "industry–academia–research–application" collaboration model, Qinglong integrates air bubble control technology into the detailed design stage, providing customers with full-cycle services from scheme optimization to after-sales maintenance. For example, in the Nanjing East Road Century Plaza renovation project, Qinglong used light-transmitting UHPC components and, through precise air bubble control technology, achieved a perfect combination of structure and light-transmitting effects. The project won the Silver Award in the first UHPC Architectural Engineering Innovation Award (AALBORG WHITE Cup).

From material R&D to project implementation, Qinglong has always upheld the mission of "creating beautiful architecture," transforming 28 years of accumulated experience into core capabilities for solving industry pain points. Facing common problems such as air bubbles in UHPC components, Qinglong uses professional expertise as its pen and craftsmanship as its ink, writing a quality promise of "meticulousness and excellence" in the field of new architectural decorative materials, providing a solid guarantee for designers to realize their creativity and for owners to create value.