Consequences and Countermeasures of No Anti-Rust Treatment After Welding Embedded Rebar

In the field of architectural decoration, embedded steel bars serve as critical connection nodes between the structure and decorative components, yet the importance of their anti-rust treatment is often overlooked. As an industry expert with 28 years of experience in detailed design, manufacturing, and construction of UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group will analyze, from a professional perspective, the potential risks of embedded steel bars left untreated for rust after welding, and provide systematic solutions based on its full-chain service experience.

I. Corrosion Hazards: A Chain Reaction from Microscopic Damage to Structural Safety

If embedded steel bars are directly exposed to air after welding, moisture and oxygen will rapidly trigger electrochemical corrosion. In humid environments, corrosion products can expand 3-6 times in volume, causing the concrete cover to crack and further accelerating the loss of steel bar cross-section. Take a coastal project Qinglong participated in as an example: the embedded steel bars of GRC components without anti-rust treatment developed corrosion perforation within just 3 years, which not only affected the decorative effect but also posed a threat to the structural stability of the curtain wall. This damage is particularly critical in applications of high-performance materials such as UHPC, as their precise connection designs place higher demands on steel bar integrity.

II. Full-Cycle Hazards: Multidimensional Impacts from Construction to Operation and Maintenance

During the construction phase, untreated steel bars may contaminate GRC/GRG molds, causing rust stains on component surfaces and increasing later repair costs. Once in the service phase, corrosion weakens the bond between steel bars and UHPC materials, affecting the seismic performance of decorative components. For composite materials such as GRP, corrosion products may also trigger interfacial chemical reactions, reducing overall durability. Qinglong's technical team found during after-sales maintenance that the repair frequency of projects without anti-rust treatment is 2.3 times that of projects treated according to standards, with whole-life-cycle costs rising significantly.

III. Industry Standard Responses: From Material Selection to Process Control

According to the requirements of the Technical Standard for Building Application of Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement (GRC) (JGJ/T423-2018), embedded steel bars must undergo surface treatment after welding. Qinglong adopts a "three-level protection system": first, sandblasting to remove rust up to Sa2.5 grade; then applying an epoxy zinc-rich primer (dry film thickness ≥80μm); finally, applying a polyurethane topcoat or hot-dip galvanizing depending on the service environment. For the special needs of UHPC components, nano-ceramic coating technology has been innovatively applied, extending the anti-rust life to over 50 years.

IV. Qinglong's Full-Chain Solution: Closed-Loop Management from Design to Maintenance

As a national high-tech enterprise, Qinglong incorporates anti-rust treatment into the detailed design phase, simulating corrosion risks at steel bar joints through BIM technology. During the manufacturing stage, automated spray lines ensure coating uniformity, and specialized testing instruments monitor coating integrity during construction and installation. In after-sales maintenance, infrared thermal imaging technology is used to regularly inspect the corrosion status of steel bars, forming full-chain quality control of "design-production-construction-maintenance". This systematic service has been successfully applied to major projects such as the Nanning ASEAN Culture and Art Center, ensuring that GRC/GRG decorative components remain free from corrosion hazards for 15 years.

The anti-rust treatment of embedded steel bars may seem simple, but it is in fact a key detail affecting the quality of architectural decoration projects. With 28 years of professional experience, Qinglong Group reminds industry peers: only by implementing refined management throughout the entire process can the aesthetic value and structural safety of UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials be unified in the long term. For more industry information: add WeChat qlfsbl123