What Is the GRC Production Process: A Complete Workflow from Raw Materials to Finished Products

In the field of architectural decoration materials, GRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) has become the "visual centerpiece" of many landmark buildings thanks to its lightweight, high-strength properties and flexible formability. From precise raw material proportioning to the perfect presentation of finished products, the GRC production process embodies the wisdom of materials science and engineering technology. As an industry leader with 28 years of full-chain experience in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP, Qinglong Group will walk you through the complete process of GRC from raw materials to finished products, revealing the craftsmanship behind this new building material.

I. Raw Material Selection: Laying the Foundation of GRC Quality

The outstanding performance of GRC begins with strict raw material screening. Qinglong GRC production uses high-strength low-alkali cement, alkali-resistant glass fiber, selected quartz sand, and special additives, forming a "four-dimensional material system". Among them, alkali-resistant glass fiber, as the core reinforcement material, must undergo 1,000-hour alkali resistance testing to ensure long-term stability in the alkaline concrete environment; quartz sand requires grading optimization to minimize aggregate gaps and improve component density. Through microstructure analysis and proportioning tests of raw materials, Qinglong has established its own proprietary material database, creating custom formulations for different application scenarios (such as exterior wall cladding panels and landscape components)—this is the key to Qinglong GRC products achieving flexural strength exceeding 20MPa and durability of over 50 years.

II. Detailed Design: Precise Transformation from Drawings to Models

As a national high-tech enterprise, Qinglong has deeply integrated digital technology into its GRC production process. During the design phase, the technical team uses the Rhino+Grasshopper parametric design platform to transform the architect's creative curves into producible digital models, and conducts clash detection and optimization through BIM technology. Taking the hyperbolic curtain wall of a grand theater as an example, 3D scanning technology is used to calibrate mold precision, ensuring component errors are controlled within ±2mm. For complex shapes such as openwork reliefs and irregular Roman columns, Qinglong uses 3D printing rapid prototyping to create master molds, cutting traditional mold-making cycles by more than 30% and achieving a seamless connection of "design as production".

III. Manufacturing: The Balancing Art of Standardization and Customization

Qinglong's Guangxi production base is equipped with automated production lines with an annual capacity of 600,000 square meters, adopting a "spray-up + vacuum degassing" process that ensures even distribution of glass fibers in the concrete, with fiber volume content precisely controlled at 4-5%. During production, each batch of slurry must pass 12 indicator tests, including flowability and initial setting time, to ensure compliance with the Technical Standard for Building Applications of Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement (GRC) (JGJ/T423-2018). For standardized products such as European classical moldings, modular molds enable mass production; for artistic components of landmark buildings, manual finishing combined with robotic polishing achieves millimeter-level surface precision. Notably, Qinglong's original "gradient curing" process, through stepwise temperature-controlled and moisture-retaining curing, effectively prevents component cracking—a technology that won the Guangxi Science and Technology Progress Award.

IV. Quality Inspection and Installation: The Last Line of Defense in Full-Process Quality Control

Before leaving the factory, Qinglong GRC components must pass 28 rigorous tests, including flexural strength, water absorption, and freeze-thaw cycles. The weather resistance test simulates extreme environments from -40℃ to 70℃, ensuring stable application of products in different climate zones. For installation, "3D laser positioning + modular hoisting" technology is used, combined with Qinglong's self-developed seismic anchoring system to achieve a secure connection with the building structure. Taking the translucent concrete project at Century Plaza on Nanjing East Road as an example, BIM pre-assembly technology controlled the on-site installation error of 1,200 irregular GRC components within 5mm, ultimately winning the AALBORG WHITE Cup UHPC Construction Engineering Innovation Award.

From scientific proportioning of raw materials to the precise control of digital production, the GRC production process is a perfect fusion of materials, design, and engineering. As a member of the International GRC Association and a participant in industry standard-setting, Qinglong Group has always pursued GRC technological innovation with the philosophy of "meticulousness and excellence". Whether for the exterior decoration of commercial complexes or artistic components in landscape design, Qinglong GRC brings unique aesthetic value to buildings with reliable quality and flexible expressiveness. In the future, with the development of UHPC/GRC composite technology, this green building material will shine in even more fields, continuously empowering the mission of "creating beautiful architecture".