What Should Be Noted When Storing UHPC Components in Low-Temperature Environments?

Storing UHPC components in low-temperature environments (≤5°C) requires focused control of four core issues: temperature, moisture protection, stacking, and protection. Qinglong has developed a specialized storage plan to ensure that components stored at -10°C to 5°C for up to 3 months show no performance degradation or damage, meeting the needs of winter construction and cross-season storage.

1. Temperature Control: Preventing Freeze-Thaw Damage

The core of low-temperature storage is preventing components from freezing and ensuring internal moisture does not turn to ice. Storage environment temperature: should be maintained at 5°C-10°C and never below -10°C; if the temperature falls below 0°C, insulation and heating measures are required (such as building an insulated shed or installing electric heaters). Qinglong keeps its winter storage sheds above 5°C. Anti-freezing measures: before storage, components must be fully hydrated (meeting 28-day strength requirements) with internal free water content ≤5% to avoid cracking caused by ice expansion; all components Qinglong stores are finished products over 28 days of age. Thawing protection: if components have frozen (with surface icing), they must be warmed slowly to room temperature (heating rate ≤5°C/h); direct thawing with hot water or high-temperature baking is strictly prohibited. Qinglong allows frozen components to warm naturally to 5°C before quality inspection. Temperature monitoring: ambient temperature is monitored at regular intervals during storage (once every 4 hours), with temperature changes recorded. Qinglong is equipped with automatic temperature recorders for real-time monitoring and alerts.

2. Moisture and Corrosion Protection: Preventing Performance Degradation

Low-temperature, high-humidity environments can easily cause components to become damp and embedded parts to corrode, so proper protection is essential. Moisture-proofing measures: the storage site must be dry and well-ventilated, with damp-proof mats laid on the ground (such as plastic film or wood boards) and component bottoms raised 100-150mm to avoid direct contact with the ground; the ground moisture content of Qinglong's storage sites is ≤10%. Waterproof covering: component surfaces should be covered with waterproof cloth or plastic film, tightly sealed to prevent wetting from rain, snow, and condensation. Qinglong uses flame-retardant waterproof cloth as covering material, with joints sealed using tape. Embedded parts protection: exposed embedded parts should be coated with anti-rust oil or wrapped in waterproof film; in coastal low-temperature environments with high salt fog, additional anti-corrosion coatings are required. All of Qinglong's 304/316 stainless steel embedded parts are treated with anti-rust protection before storage. Regular inspection: check every 7 days whether component surfaces are damp or embedded parts are corroded, and address any issues promptly. Qinglong conducts weekly inspections during winter storage, achieving a 100% pass rate for moisture and corrosion protection.

3. Stacking and Protection: Preventing Physical Damage

In low-temperature environments, component brittleness increases slightly, so stacking and protection require extra care. Stacking method: stack by component type in designated zones. Flat components should be stacked horizontally with no more than 3 layers, with soft padding between layers (such as foam or rubber pads) at least 50mm thick; vertical components (such as moldings and columns) should be stacked upright with supports in place to prevent tipping. Qinglong stacks flat components in no more than 2 layers, with vertical component support spacing ≤1.5m. Load control: total stacked weight must not exceed the load-bearing capacity of the bottom-layer components to avoid deformation under pressure; Qinglong places all bottom-layer components on load-bearing brackets to distribute the load. Edge and corner protection: wrap component edges and corners with anti-collision strips (such as foam strips or plywood) to prevent collision damage during handling and stacking; all stored Qinglong components have anti-collision treatment on edges and corners. Handling requirements: in low-temperature environments, handle gently and avoid severe impacts, padding the contact points between lifting gear and components with soft materials. Qinglong uses specialized lifting gear for winter handling, keeping the damage rate within 0.1%.