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Steel structures are widely used in industrial buildings, warehouses, commercial buildings, bridges and large public facilities due to their high strength, lightweight properties and construction efficiency. However, steel loses strength and stiffness when exposed to high temperatures, which can affect the load-bearing capacity and overall safety of a structure. Fire-resistant coatings provide an important protective solution by slowing down the temperature rise of steel during a fire. But how do these coatings actually work? What are the differences between thick-film, thin-film and ultra-thin fire-resistant coatings? And how should the right coating be selected for different applications? This article explores their working principles, key characteristics and typical applications. 1. How Do Fire-Resistant Coatings Work? The primary function of fire-resistant coatings is to delay the heating of steel structures during a fire, helping maintain their structural integrity for a longer pe...

 White deposits, powdering and peeling are common problems encountered during interior wall finishing. Although these issues are sometimes attributed to poor-quality putty, their causes may also include substrate efflorescence, persistent moisture, weak substrate surfaces, unsuitable material compatibility or improper application. The difference between standard interior wall putty and alkali-resistant putty goes beyond product naming. It involves formulation objectives, substrate compatibility, bonding performance, water resistance and application requirements. For putty manufacturers, building material distributors and technical professionals, understanding these differences helps improve product selection, reduce avoidable rework and develop solutions suited to different construction conditions. 1. What Is the Difference Between Standard and Alkali-Resistant Putty? Standard Interior Wall Putty Standard interior wall putty is primarily used to level wall surfaces and prepare them...

 1. Why Is Water Retention Critical in Plastering Mortar? Plastering mortar performance depends not only on cement, sand, and other raw materials, but also on its ability to retain water. When applied to substrates such as autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks, lightweight wall panels, or cast-in-place concrete, the substrate's water absorption characteristics directly influence moisture movement within the mortar. If the substrate absorbs water too quickly, the mortar may lose consistency and workability, while insufficient moisture may interfere with cement hydration. Under unfavorable conditions, these effects can increase the risk of poor interfacial bonding, cracking, and hollow spots. Cellulose ether, particularly hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), is an important functional additive for improving water retention and workability in plastering mortar. HPMC increases the viscosity of the aqueous phase and helps retain moisture, slowing water migration and maintaining the ...

 What Really Matters in Hot-Weather Concrete Curing During summer construction, what is one of the biggest concerns for fresh concrete? Many people immediately think: insufficient moisture. So after placing concrete, they keep spraying or watering the surface, assuming that more water means better curing and fewer cracks. But sometimes, the opposite seems to happen: The concrete is watered frequently, yet cracks still appear. So, is the problem really a lack of water? Not necessarily. For concrete exposed to hot-weather conditions, curing needs to address two things together: Moisture control + temperature control. 01 | Why Is Concrete More Prone to Cracking in Summer? High temperatures, strong sunlight, low humidity, and wind can accelerate moisture loss from the concrete surface. At the same time, cement hydration continues to generate heat, which can create a temperature difference between the interior and the surface of the concrete. If the surface cools and contracts significa...

After formwork is removed, air bubbles, bugholes, or small surface voids may appear on concrete. The first question is often: Was the concrete insufficiently vibrated? Not necessarily. Not all air bubbles in concrete are harmful. What really matters is their size, distribution, location, and cause. 01 | Some Air Bubbles Are Actually Beneficial Tiny air bubbles introduced by air-entraining agents are generally small and evenly distributed. In freeze-thaw environments, these bubbles can provide small pressure-relief spaces for ice expansion and help improve the concrete's freeze-thaw resistance. So, fewer air bubbles do not always mean better concrete. Beneficial microbubbles do not need to be completely removed. 02 | Large Air Bubbles Are the Ones That Need Attention Large and concentrated air bubbles may affect concrete compactness and surface appearance. They may be related to: Admixture system and dosage Mixing speed and mixing time Air introduced during mixing Placement and vibr...

 There is no single plaster thickness for every project. The appropriate thickness depends on the substrate, application area, mortar type, construction method and project requirements.​ In practice, three points are important: layer thickness, total thickness and reinforcement when necessary.​ 1. How Thick Should Each Layer Be? Plaster should not be applied in an excessively thick layer at once.​ According to JGJ/T 220-2010, cement plastering mortar is generally applied at 5–7 mm per layer, while cement-lime plastering mortar is generally 7–9 mm per layer.​ When greater thickness is required for leveling, use multiple layers instead of one thick application.​ 2. Typical Total Thickness Common reference values include:​ • Ordinary interior wall plastering: ≤20 mm​ • High-grade interior plastering: ≤25 mm​ • Exterior wall surface: ≤20 mm​ • Exterior plinth and similar areas: ≤25 mm​ • Cast-in-place concrete ceiling: ≤5 mm​ • Precast concrete or panel ceiling: ≤10 mm​ Actual projects...

 “Just add more water—the more you water concrete, the better it will cure.” This is a common idea on many construction sites. But in practice, more water does not automatically mean better curing. The real purpose of concrete curing is to maintain suitable moisture and temperature conditions during early-age hardening, allowing cement hydration to continue while reducing the risk of excessive moisture loss, shrinkage, and temperature-related cracking.                                           01 | Why Doesn't More Water Always Mean Better Curing? Fresh concrete has relatively low surface strength during the early stages. If a newly placed surface is exposed to strong water flow, especially when the water temperature is significantly different from the concrete temperature, rapid temperature changes may increase the risk of early-age cracking. Strong water flow may also disturb ...

 # Rigid or Flexible Waterproofing? Understanding the Differences and Applications Rigid and flexible waterproof coatings are widely used in construction waterproofing. Both help reduce water penetration, but they differ in material composition, cured properties, waterproofing principles, and suitable applications. Understanding these differences helps contractors and manufacturers select the right waterproofing system for different substrate conditions and project requirements. ## Rigid vs. Flexible Waterproof Coatings Rigid waterproof coatings are generally based on cement or other inorganic binders, combined with suitable additives and functional materials. Some products may also contain a small amount of polymer. After curing, these materials form a relatively hard and dense waterproof layer with limited elasticity and elongation. Rigid waterproofing mainly relies on the dense hardened structure formed during cement hydration to reduce water penetration. When the substrate is s...

 Cracking, hollow areas, water penetration, and even detachment are among the most common problems found in external wall insulation projects. Many people assume that these failures are caused only by the insulation material itself. However, the long-term performance of an External Thermal Insulation Composite System, or ETICS, depends on much more than the insulation board. Substrate preparation, adhesive application, insulation board installation, mechanical anchors, fiberglass mesh reinforcement, base coat application, finishing work, and final quality inspection all play an important role. ETICS is a complete building system rather than simply attaching insulation boards to a wall. A mistake in any part of the installation process can affect bonding strength, crack resistance, weather resistance, durability, and long-term safety. For this reason, external wall insulation projects should always be installed and inspected according to applicable local regulations, approved projec...

 Concrete is one of the most important construction materials used in modern engineering. It is widely applied in buildings, bridges, roads, industrial facilities, and many other infrastructure projects. Concrete is mainly composed of cement, water, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, and, when required, chemical or mineral admixtures. Aggregates form the main skeleton of concrete, while cement reacts with water to form a hardened cement paste that binds the aggregates together. After hardening, the mixture becomes an artificial stone-like material with significant strength and durability. Concrete has excellent compressive strength but relatively low tensile strength. For this reason, reinforcing steel is commonly embedded in concrete structures to carry tensile loads, creating the reinforced concrete structures widely used in modern construction. But what determines the strength of concrete? Why can concrete produced with similar materials sometimes achieve very different strengt...

Why is Redispersible Polymer Powder (RDP) commonly added to tile adhesives, thermal insulation mortars, repair mortars, and other dry-mix products?​ The key is that RDP not only improves the bond between mortar and the substrate, but also enhances the mortar's internal cohesion and flexibility.​ Why Doesn't Traditional Mortar Always Bond Strongly? Traditional cement mortar mainly relies on the hardened cement structure and mechanical interlocking with the substrate.​ However, cement mortar is relatively brittle. When exposed to temperature changes, drying shrinkage, or slight substrate movement, stress can build up and eventually cause cracking, hollowing, or even debonding.​ How Does RDP Improve Bonding Strength? After adding RDP, the bonding mechanism of the mortar changes.​ First, stronger interfacial bonding. Polymers improve contact between the mortar and substrate and enhance interfacial bonding, reducing reliance on mechanical interlocking alone.​ Second, higher internal...

 When building a house in hot weather, concrete may face a higher risk of cracking. The main reason is that high temperatures accelerate setting, while strong sunlight and wind increase surface moisture evaporation. Without proper construction control and timely curing, shrinkage cracking can become more likely. If you are planning to pour concrete for slabs, roofs, terraces, or other structures this summer, remember these four points. 1. Avoid Extreme Heat, Direct Sunlight, and Strong Winds Avoid pouring concrete during the hottest part of the day whenever possible. Early morning, late afternoon, or cooler weather conditions are generally better choices. Slabs, roofs, and terraces are especially exposed to rapid moisture loss. 2. Check Formwork Temperature Before Pouring Formwork exposed to the sun for a long time can become very hot, especially metal formwork. Use appropriate shading or cooling measures when necessary, but make sure no standing water remains inside the formwork b...

 Bubbling, blistering, and localized hollow areas are common problems encountered during gypsum plaster application. When bubbles appear on the wall, the first reaction is often: “Is there something wrong with the gypsum plaster?” However, in many real construction projects, bubbling is not necessarily caused by the gypsum material itself. In many cases, the actual causes are related to substrate absorption, substrate preparation, application thickness, and plastering techniques. This is especially important when working on concrete walls, aerated concrete blocks, or brick substrates. If the substrate is too dry or absorbs water too quickly, the water in the gypsum slurry can be rapidly drawn into the substrate, making it difficult for trapped air to escape. The result can be bubbling, blistering, or even hollow areas. So, how can gypsum plaster bubbling be reduced? Here are four practical steps worth paying attention to. Step 1: Moisturize and Seal the Substrate — The Most Importa...