What Effects Can Surface Acid Etching of UHPC Panels Achieve: An In-Depth Analysis of Its Mechanism and Practical Application Value

Micro-Level Treatment Determines Macro-Level Value: How Does the UHPC Panel Acid Etching Process Reshape the Vitality of Building Skins?

In contemporary building skin technology, ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has become the material of choice for landmark projects thanks to its outstanding mechanical performance and aesthetic expressiveness. However, UHPC panels without surface treatment often suffer from efflorescence, rough texture, and other issues that directly affect the durability and visual effect of building curtain walls. As an industry leader with 28 years of deep expertise in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group has developed an innovative acid etching process that provides a systematic solution for UHPC panel surface treatment, addressing material application pain points while expanding the expressive boundaries of architectural design.

1. Core Mechanism of UHPC Panel Acid Etching: From Microscopic Cleaning to Performance Leap

Acid etching of UHPC panels is not simply surface cleaning. Instead, it uses an acid solution of a specific concentration to trigger a controlled chemical reaction with the concrete surface layer, achieving three core objectives: first, efficiently removing the cement slurry film left by formwork casting and surface dust, allowing aggregate texture to emerge naturally and creating a fine matte finish; second, dissolving free calcium compounds in the surface layer to eliminate efflorescence at its source and ensure long-term color uniformity of the curtain wall; third, forming a microporous structure of 0.1-0.3mm on the surface to improve coating adhesion and lay the foundation for subsequent coloring and hydrophobic treatments. Qinglong Group laboratory data shows that acid-etched UHPC panels achieve more than 40% higher surface coating adhesion than untreated panels, with color difference variation controlled at ΔE≤3 in weathering tests—an industry-leading level.

2. Process Details Determine Application Value: The Practical Advantages of Qinglong's Full-Chain Technical System

As a National High-Tech Enterprise, Qinglong Group integrates the acid etching process into the full lifecycle management of UHPC components: in the detailed design stage, BIM technology simulates the impact of different acid concentrations on texture to match the project's aesthetic requirements; in production, automated acid etching lines precisely control acid temperature (25-30°C) and treatment time (8-15 minutes) to ensure batch-to-batch consistency; before installation, 3D laser scanning technology checks surface flatness with errors controlled within ±0.5mm/m. This full-chain control capability has enabled Qinglong UHPC panels to be successfully applied in benchmark projects such as the Nanjing East Road Century Plaza renovation project, where the combination of translucent concrete and acid etching realized the design vision of “refined texture by day, flowing light and shadow by night.”

3. From Technical Innovation to Value Creation: Multi-Dimensional Application Scenarios of the Acid Etching Process

Acid-etched UHPC panels demonstrate unique advantages in high-end architecture: in commercial complex curtain walls, adjusting etching parameters can replicate the textures of natural stones such as sandstone and lychee finish at only 60% of the cost of natural stone; in landscape components, the microporous surface effectively adsorbs airborne dust to achieve self-cleaning functionality; in humid environments such as subway stations, the dense surface layer formed by acid etching improves impermeability to the P12 grade. In a Malaysian international airport project completed by Qinglong Group in recent years, the acid-etched UHPC sunshades not only met the UV-resistance requirements of a tropical climate, but their customized texture design also became an iconic element of the airport architecture, embodying the corporate mission of “creating beautiful architecture.”

As a company that participated in developing the industry standard “General Technical Requirements for Non-Load-Bearing Components of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC),” Qinglong Group has always driven industry progress through technical innovation. The deepened application of the UHPC panel acid etching process is not only an optimization of material performance but also an expansion of the design language of building skins. In the future, as parametric design merges with the concept of green building materials, acid etching technology will unlock value in more landmark projects, providing designers with broader creative space and delivering architectural works that combine aesthetic value and durability for owners.