Key Technical Points and Implementation Strategies for Steam Curing of GRC Components in Low-Temperature Environments

In the field of architectural decoration, GRC components are widely used in various high-end buildings due to their lightweight, high-strength, and richly formed characteristics. However, the production of GRC components in low-temperature environments faces curing challenges that directly affect product quality and project schedules. As an industry leader with 28 years of full-chain experience in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group has drawn on extensive project practice in low-temperature environments to develop a scientific and efficient steam curing technical solution for GRC components, providing a professional reference for the industry.

Key Challenges of Low-Temperature Environments for GRC Components

Low-temperature environments (typically referring to ambient temperatures below 5°C) significantly slow the hydration reaction rate of GRC materials, resulting in slow strength development, surfaces prone to frost damage cracks, and even compromised structural stability. Under low-temperature conditions, traditional natural curing methods often require more than 7 days to reach 70% of design strength, severely constraining production efficiency. While participating in a cultural center project in northern China, Qinglong Group found that GRC components without professional curing measures suffered a decrease of approximately 15% in 28-day strength compared to standard curing conditions, with surface flatness deviations exceeding specification requirements.

Key Control Points of Steam Curing Technology

Steam curing is the core process for ensuring the quality of GRC components in low-temperature environments, requiring strict control of four stages: the resting period, heating period, constant temperature period, and cooling period. Qinglong Group achieves precise regulation through an intelligent temperature control system: during the resting stage, the ambient temperature is kept at no less than 15°C to ensure full cement hydration; the heating rate is controlled at no more than 20°C per hour to prevent stress cracks caused by excessive temperature differences between the interior and exterior of components; the constant temperature stage maintains a steam environment of 60-70°C with relative humidity ≥90% for 4-6 hours, during which component strength can reach over 80% of the design value; the cooling rate is likewise controlled within 20°C per hour until the temperature difference between the component surface and the ambient environment is ≤20°C.

Qinglong's Distinctive Steam Curing Implementation Strategies

For different types of GRC components, Qinglong Group has innovatively developed differentiated curing solutions: for thin-walled irregular components (such as curved curtain wall panels), steam spray curing combined with mold temperature control technology is adopted to ensure uniform heating of all parts of the components; for large load-bearing components (such as landscape sculptures), real-time stress monitoring is implemented during the curing process, with BIM technology used to simulate temperature field distribution and optimize steam pipe layouts. In a landmark project in Malaysia, Qinglong applied this technology to shorten the production cycle of GRC components in low-temperature environments by 40% and raise the first-time acceptance pass rate to 98%.

Quality Assurance System and Industry Standard Practices

As a participating drafting unit of the Technical Standard for Building Applications of Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement (GRC) (JGJ/T423-2018), Qinglong Group has incorporated steam curing technology into its standardized production process. The "three-inspection system" is strictly implemented during curing, with closed-loop control of three parameters—temperature, humidity, and time—achieved through fully automatic curing kilns, and RFID chips used to establish curing records for each batch of components. Meanwhile, Qinglong's laboratory regularly conducts research on optimizing steam curing parameters, having obtained 3 related invention patents and 8 utility model patents, placing its technical level at the forefront of the industry.

The production of GRC components in low-temperature environments tests the comprehensive strength of materials science and engineering management. Leveraging 28 years of accumulated full-chain experience, Qinglong Group has deeply integrated steam curing technology with digital management, not only solving the technical bottlenecks of low-temperature construction but also ensuring stable and controllable product quality through standardized and intelligent means. Looking ahead, Qinglong will continue to focus on innovation in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, providing global customers with more valuable architectural decoration solutions and fulfilling its corporate mission of "Creating Beautiful Architecture."