How to Verify a Manufacturer's GRC Product Carbonation Resistance: Methods, Standards and Practical Guide

The durability of building materials directly affects building safety and service life. GRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete), as a material widely used in high-end architectural decoration, has carbonation resistance as a key indicator of its long-term reliability. As a Qinglong manufacturer with 28 years of full-chain experience in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP, we fully understand the importance of carbonation resistance to the stability of GRC products in complex environments. This article provides a professional guide for designers, owners, and project parties from three dimensions—testing methods, industry standards, and practical verification—to help accurately assess GRC product quality.

Core Testing Methods for GRC Carbonation Resistance: From Laboratory to Project Site

Verifying the carbonation resistance of GRC products requires combining laboratory testing with on-site assessment to form a complete quality verification system. At the laboratory level, commonly used methods include the carbonation depth measurement method and the compressive strength comparison method. Carbonation depth measurement simulates an accelerated carbonation environment (e.g., CO₂ concentration of 20±3%, relative humidity of 70±5%, and temperature of 20±2°C), and measures the thickness of the carbonated layer after a specified age (usually 28 or 56 days); the carbonation depth of high-quality GRC products should be controlled within 3mm. The compressive strength comparison method tests the strength change before and after carbonation to ensure the strength loss rate does not exceed 15%—an indicator that directly reflects the structural stability of the material.

On-site verification is equally indispensable. Before project delivery, Qinglong conducts sampling carbonation tests on factory components and provides customized anti-carbonation solutions based on the climate characteristics of the project location (such as humidity and CO₂ concentration). For example, in high-humidity coastal areas, we enhance the carbonation resistance of GRC components by adjusting the water-cement ratio, optimizing fiber content (typically using alkali-resistant glass fiber content ≥4%), and applying surface coating treatments.

Industry Standards and Qinglong Practices: Building Dual Quality Assurance

Adhering to authoritative standards is the foundation for ensuring that GRC carbonation resistance meets requirements. China currently mainly references the "Technical Standard for Building Application of Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement (GRC)" (JGJ/T423-2018), which clearly specifies the carbonation performance requirements and testing methods for GRC products. As one of the units involved in drafting this standard, Qinglong not only strictly implements it but also exceeds its requirements through technological innovation—for example, our independently developed "low-alkalinity cement + special mineral admixture" formula extends the anti-carbonation service life of GRC products by more than 50% compared with conventional products.

In addition, Qinglong has established a full-process quality control system: from raw material selection (using low-alkali cement of grade 42.5 or above) and steam curing during production (ensuring adequate hydration) to pre-shipment third-party testing (entrusting national-level building materials testing centers to conduct carbonation tests), every step is traceable. This dual assurance of "standards + internal control" ensures that GRC components in projects such as the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center and Century Plaza on Nanjing East Road achieve their expected design service life in terms of carbonation resistance.

Selection Recommendations for Owners and Designers: Comprehensive Evaluation from Data to Case Studies

For owners and designers, evaluating a GRC manufacturer's carbonation resistance capability requires attention to three core dimensions: first, check whether the manufacturer has complete testing reports, including key data such as carbonation depth and strength changes; second, examine the durability performance of its past projects—for example, Qinglong's overseas projects in high-temperature, high-humidity environments such as Malaysia and Saudi Arabia show no obvious signs of carbonation after more than 10 years of use; third, understand the manufacturer's technical R&D strength, such as whether it holds patented formulas and participates in drafting industry standards.

Carbonation resistance is not an isolated indicator; together with the flexural strength, weather resistance, and other properties of GRC products, it constitutes the comprehensive quality of the material. As a national high-tech enterprise and a specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative enterprise, Qinglong has always taken "creating beautiful architecture" as its mission, integrating carbonation resistance into full product lifecycle management through 28 years of technical accumulation. Choosing a GRC manufacturer with full-chain service capabilities not only provides reliable anti-carbonation solutions but also achieves synergistic efficiency in design development, construction installation, and other stages, truly making architectural beauty endure through time.