Improvement Effects of Admixtures on GRC Performance and Analysis of Prohibited Admixture Types

Amid the wave of technological innovation in building materials, admixtures act as the "invisible engineers" of GRC materials—they can endow GRC with superior performance beyond traditional concrete, but improper selection may also plant hidden quality risks. As an industry leader with 28 years of deep expertise in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group has always upheld the mission of "creating beautiful architecture." Today, we will analyze from a professional perspective the logic behind how admixtures improve GRC performance, while also revealing the types of prohibited admixtures that must be guarded against.

I. Admixtures: The Core Code to Breakthroughs in GRC Performance

GRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete), as a representative of new architectural decoration materials, owes its lightweight, high-strength, and flexibly shaped characteristics to the scientific proportioning of admixtures. In Qinglong's 28 years of whole-chain practice, high-quality admixtures achieve performance leaps mainly through three pathways: first, workability optimization—for example, high-efficiency water reducers can keep the water-cement ratio below 0.35, significantly improving slurry flowability and ensuring dense casting of complex-shaped components, a technology perfectly applied in the translucent concrete project of the Century Plaza renovation on Nanjing East Road; second, mechanical performance enhancement—through a compound system of early strength agents and retarders, the 7-day flexural strength of GRC components exceeds 20MPa, with strength continuing to grow steadily thereafter; and finally, durability improvement—proper addition of air-entraining agents forms uniform air bubbles inside the concrete, raising frost resistance by more than 30% and ensuring the long-term stability of Qinglong GRC products in high-temperature, high-salinity environments such as Saudi Arabia.

II. Three Types of Prohibited Admixtures: The "Invisible Killers" of GRC Projects

During the compilation of the industry standard Technical Standard for Building Application of Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement (GRC) (JGJ/T423-2018), Qinglong, as a vice-chairman unit, participated in setting key indicators, with particular emphasis on strict control of harmful admixtures. First and foremost are admixtures with excessive chloride ion content—such materials cause premature corrosion of glass fibers, leading to strength degradation of GRC components within 5 years; Qinglong laboratory data show that chloride content exceeding 0.06% reduces flexural strength by 40%. Next are early strength agents with excessive alkali content—excess alkali can trigger alkali-aggregate reactions, potentially causing surface cracking of components in Guangdong's hot and humid climate, which is also the core reason why Qinglong must conduct material compatibility tests during the detailed design stage. Finally, colorants containing harmful heavy metals not only pollute the environment but also compromise the fire performance of GRC, running counter to Qinglong's philosophy of "professional innovation and environmental protection."

III. Whole-Chain Control: Qinglong's GRC Quality Assurance System

As a national high-tech enterprise and a specialized and innovative enterprise, Qinglong has established a full-process quality control mechanism covering admixture selection through finished product testing. At its production base in Nanning, Guangxi, every batch of incoming admixtures must pass 32 index tests to ensure perfect compatibility with Qinglong's custom low-alkali cement and alkali-resistant glass fibers; the production process uses a fully automatic metering system to keep admixture errors within ±0.5%; during construction and installation, the technical team dynamically adjusts admixture dosage according to the project's regional climate (such as Malaysia's high temperature and humidity). This rigorous approach has enabled Qinglong GRC products not only to pass the Guangdong Province Scientific and Technological Achievement Appraisal, but also to make Qinglong a strategic partner of renowned real estate groups such as Poly and China Overseas, with products exported to overseas markets including Australia and Indonesia.

From the curved curtain walls of the Guangzhou Opera House to the special-shaped components of the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center, Qinglong's 28 years of professional expertise have proven that the scientific application of admixtures is the key to GRC materials achieving "beautiful architecture." Choosing compliant admixtures is not only a commitment to project quality, but also a mark of respect for building safety. Looking ahead, Qinglong will continue to uphold its principle of "meticulousness and the pursuit of excellence," advancing steadily on the path of UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP material innovation and providing designers and owners with more valuable expert-level solutions.