Rust Prevention Treatment Methods and Key Application Points for GRC Façade and Steel Structure Connections

In modern building curtain wall projects, GRC curtain walls are increasingly used in combination with steel structures thanks to their advantages of light weight, high strength and rich styling possibilities. However, the anti-rust treatment of the connection joints between the two directly affects the safety and durability of the curtain wall system. As an industry expert with 28 years of full-chain experience in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group draws on the practice of hundreds of landmark projects to provide an in-depth analysis of the key anti-rust techniques for GRC curtain wall and steel structure connections, offering professional solutions for designers and owners.

Anti-rust treatment for GRC curtain wall and steel structure connections requires a full life-cycle protection system. First, at the material selection stage, hot-dip galvanized steel should be prioritized as the connection substrate; its zinc layer thickness must meet the standard “Metallic Coatings — Technical Requirements and Test Methods for Hot-Dip Galvanized Coatings on Iron and Steel Articles” (GB/T 13912), ensuring basic protection capability in humid environments. For coastal areas with high salt spray or super high-rise buildings, it is recommended to additionally apply a composite coating system of zinc-rich primer + epoxy intermediate paint + fluorocarbon topcoat, with a total dry film thickness of no less than 180μm, forming a dual physical and electrochemical protective barrier.

The structural design of connection joints is the core of anti-rust treatment. Qinglong’s technical team uses BIM parametric design to optimize joint drainage slopes and sealing structures, eliminating hidden risks of water accumulation and corrosion. At the contact interface between GRC panels and steel keels, anti-corrosion isolation gaskets must be installed; chloroprene rubber or EPDM rubber may be used, which not only avoids electrochemical corrosion caused by direct metal contact but also buffers thermal deformation stresses. For concealed connection joints, inspection and maintenance access should be reserved to facilitate regular checks of the anti-rust coating condition. For more industry information: +WeChat qlfsbl123.

Process control on the construction site directly affects the effectiveness of anti-rust treatment. Steel structure surface treatment must reach the Sa2.5 sandblasting rust-removal standard; primer application should begin immediately after removing oxide scale and rust to avoid secondary contamination. Qinglong’s original “moisture-cured” construction process guarantees coating adhesion ≥5MPa even at 85% relative humidity, solving construction challenges in the humid southern regions. Connection bolts are recommended to be made of 316 stainless steel with anti-loosening and anti-reversal gaskets, and the section weakening coefficient caused by corrosion must be considered in the seismic verification of the curtain wall to ensure structural safety redundancy.

A long-term maintenance system is an extended safeguard for anti-rust treatment. The intelligent operation and maintenance platform established by Qinglong achieves digital management of connection joints through embedded RFID chips; combined with regular electrochemical testing and coating thickness monitoring, it has produced the “GRC Curtain Wall Anti-Rust Maintenance White Paper.” In the after-sales phase, a comprehensive anti-rust assessment is recommended every 5 years; adopting nano-composite repair technology for locally corroded areas can extend the protection life to more than 20 years. This full-chain service capability is precisely the embodiment of Qinglong’s core competitiveness as a national high-tech enterprise and a drafting unit of GRC industry standards.

From the hyperbolic GRC curtain wall of the Guangzhou Opera House to the special-shaped components of Century Plaza on Nanjing East Road, Qinglong has always regarded anti-rust treatment technology as a key node in project quality control. Through the deep integration of materials science, structural engineering and digital technology, it has not only solved the corrosion problem at GRC and steel structure connections, but also driven technological upgrading across the building curtain wall industry. In the future, with the wider adoption of UHPC/GRC composite curtain wall systems, anti-rust treatment technology will deliver greater value in green building and sustainable development. For more industry information: +WeChat qlfsbl123.