What Effects Can UHPC Panel Surface Acid Wash Treatment Achieve and Analysis of Its Practical Application Value

In the field of contemporary architectural decoration, UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete) has become the preferred material for high-end projects thanks to its outstanding mechanical properties and artistic expressiveness. As an industry leader with 28 years of full-chain experience in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group deeply understands the decisive impact of surface treatment processes on material performance. Among these, acid washing treatment, as a core processing step for UHPC panels, not only affects appearance and texture but also directly influences engineering quality and application value. This article analyzes the deeper value of acid washing treatment for UHPC panels from three dimensions: technical principles, performance optimization, and practical cases.

I. The Technical Core of Acid Washing Treatment: Reshaping from Microstructure to Macro Performance

The acid washing treatment of UHPC panels is not simple surface cleaning, but a controlled chemical reaction between acid solutions of specific concentrations (such as phosphoric acid and oxalic acid systems) and the concrete surface layer. This process precisely dissolves free calcium in the surface layer, forming a 0.1-0.3mm microporous structure that retains the high-strength properties of the UHPC matrix (compressive strength ≥150MPa) while giving the surface unique textural expressiveness. Through 28 years of process accumulation, Qinglong Group has achieved intelligent control of acid washing parameters and can customize more than 20 surface effects according to project requirements, from matte frosted to stone-look lychee finishes, solving the problem of limited decorative variety caused by the overly smooth surface of traditional UHPC.

II. Triple Performance Enhancement: Analyzing the Engineering Value of Acid Washing Treatment

1. Enhanced Durability: Building a Protective Barrier The porous surface layer formed by acid washing can mechanically interlock with subsequent coating systems, increasing coating adhesion by more than 40% and effectively resisting UV aging and acid-alkali corrosion. In the Century Plaza renovation project on Nanjing East Road, in which Qinglong participated, acid-washed UHPC light-transmitting panels retained 92% of their gloss after 3 years of outdoor exposure testing, far higher than the 75% of untreated panels. This characteristic makes UHPC panels particularly suitable for coastal high-salt-spray areas and heavy industrial environments.

2. Aesthetic Value Upgrade: Achieving Design Freedom By adjusting acid washing time and acid concentration, surface pore size and distribution density can be precisely controlled, simulating diverse textures from sandstone to granite. In the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center project, Qinglong adopted a gradient acid washing process, giving UHPC exterior wall panels a layered visual effect that changes with the angle of light, successfully replacing traditional stone to achieve decorative effects on 6000㎡ of shaped curved surfaces and reducing project cost by 30%.

3. Functional Adaptation Optimization: Meeting Special Scenario Requirements After acid washing treatment, the surface friction coefficient of UHPC panels increases to 0.85, with significantly enhanced anti-slip performance, making them especially suitable for high-traffic areas such as subway platforms and commercial complex atriums. Meanwhile, the microporous structure offers a certain sound absorption and noise reduction function. In a concert hall ceiling project in Guangzhou, acid-washed UHPC components shortened the reverberation time by 0.3 seconds, with acoustic indicators reaching the national first-class standard.

III. Full Industry Chain Empowerment: The Differentiated Advantages of Qinglong's Acid Washing Process

As a national high-tech enterprise and a participant in formulating UHPC industry standards, Qinglong Group has incorporated acid washing treatment into full product lifecycle management. From parametric surface simulation in the detailed design stage, to constant-temperature and constant-humidity acid washing tank control in production, and to surface repair technology at installation sites, a complete technical closed loop is formed. Relying on the annual capacity of 600,000 square meters at its production base in Nanning, Guangxi, Qinglong can achieve large-scale customization of acid-washed components, with delivery cycles 25% shorter than the industry average. Currently, Qinglong's acid-washed UHPC products have been widely applied in real estate curtain walls, municipal landscapes, cultural venues and other fields, exported to Southeast Asian and Australian markets, and become a strategic centralized procurement brand for renowned enterprises such as Vanke and Poly.

As green building becomes an industry trend, acid washing treatment of UHPC panels is not just a process technology, but also the balancing art of material performance and design aesthetics. With 28 years of professional expertise, Qinglong Group continuously explores the application potential of UHPC materials through technological innovation, providing designers with broader creative space and creating more lasting architectural value for owners. In the future, as industry standards improve and application scenarios expand, acid washing treatment technology will play an even more critical role in the promotion and application of UHPC.