Solvent based epoxy introduces lubrication mechanism to optimize the rheological properties and microstructure of underwater 3D printed concrete

Research Overview: Volume 547 of Construction and Building Materials published a study on underwater 3D printed concrete titled “Rheological optimization and microstructural enhancement of underwater 3D printed concrete via solvent borne epoch induced lubrication” by Bo Pang, Jianchao Wang, Zuquan Jin, Yidong Chen, Dafu Wang, and Jie Yan, with a publication date of November 14, 2026. The research focuses on the rheological control and microstructure improvement of underwater 3D printed concrete, and proposes the idea of introducing lubrication through solvent based epoxy.

Core facts and technical path

From the title and source information, the core of this study lies in the optimization of the rheological properties of underwater 3D printed concrete by “solvent based epoxy induced lubrication”, as well as the enhancement of the microstructure.

. Underwater printing faces the challenge of balancing the workability and structural stability of the mixture in a submerged environment, with rheological control being a key step. The study introduces solvent based epoxy as a regulating component into the system, improves the rheological performance of the printing process through its lubricating effect, and obtains structural enhancement at the microscopic level. The source does not provide specific mix proportions, dosages, rheological parameters, or strength data. The relevant quantitative conclusions should be based on the full text of the paper.

Significance for the Building Materials and Polymer Additives Industry

This study advances the role of polymer components from traditional “external modification” to the rheological control of printing processes, and has reference value for formula design in the field of building materials.

. In underwater construction, restoration projects, and other scenarios, materials need to maintain printability and molding quality in complex water environments. The introduction of polymer based rheological adjustment components provides new adjustment methods for formulation engineers. From the perspective of the polymer additive industry, this study suggests that the function of epoxy based systems in cement-based materials is expanding: not only as bonding and reinforcing components, but also as interface lubrication and rheological control components. This complements the role of additives such as antioxidants and light stabilizers, which are commonly used in construction and home decoration materials for a long time, in terms of system stability. The former focuses on the workability during the construction and molding stages, while the latter focuses on the weather resistance and stability of the product during long-term service. For outdoor exposed products such as PVC profiles, pipes, sealants, and building coatings, weather resistance and stability are always one of the core indicators in formula design. The performance of building materials throughout their entire life cycle cannot be maintained without a reasonable combination of stable systems. It should be pointed out that this study focuses on underwater 3D printed concrete, which differs significantly from thermoplastic building materials such as PVC profiles in terms of material systems. Its conclusions cannot be directly transferred to plastic additive formulations. But its methodology of “regulating rheology and microstructure with polymer components” has enlightening significance for the formulation optimization of building materials, and also prompts additive companies to pay attention to the research progress of interface behavior in cement-based and polymer based composite systems.

Information to be clarified

The source only provides the title, journal issue, and author information, and does not disclose the dosage range, rheological testing methods, microscopic characterization methods, and mechanical performance data of solvent based epoxy, nor does it explain the comparison results with ordinary underwater poured concrete.

. The above content needs to be verified by consulting the full text of the paper, and this article does not make any inferences.

Information source:Rheological optimization and microstructural enhancement of underwater 3D-printed concrete via solvent-borne epoxy-induced lubrication， Organized by Herun Chemical.