People often get the Jesmonite starter kit, fall in love with it, then want to try other types of Jesmonite – but don’t know which type is best for what.
We get asked this a lot on social media and in conversation.
This handy guide should help, as we lay out which type of Jesmonite is best for which product.
Why not bookmark this page so you can keep coming back to it for reference?
Inside or outside?
AC100 should be used inside.
AC730, AC630 and AC830 can be used for exterior work.
Creative or architectural?
Many creatives have started using Jesmonite in the COVID 19 lockdown – it was the perfect product to order online and get creating with at your kitchen table, with the whole family!
If you’re in the creative market you want to use Jesmonite for homeware such as coasters, trays, decorative plates and vases then AC100 is your go-to product. Just a reminder – if you’re going to place food on a plate made of Jesmonite then you need to use a food safe sealer!
Having said that, AC730 also works well for homeware like coasters and vases.
In the architectural industry, AC730 works best for cladding panels, architectural mouldings, decorative features, and interior design applications.
Generally, AC630 and AC830 should be used for architectural and artistic projects, things such as panels, sculptures and building design.
Now, let’s look at them one by one.
AC100
AC100 is our original product. It is an easy to use, adaptable material for most moulding and laminating applications. Suitable for decorative cast objects, mould replication, wall panels.
Commonly referred to as ‘the ultimate chameleon material’ AC100 has the unique ability to replicate virtually any surface, colour, or texture, whilst being extremely user friendly. AC100 is the most popular material for beginners.
AC200
This type of Jesmonite is an adaptable, mouldable carving material that is safe and easy to use for all modelling and prototyping applications.
It gives more edge detail and dimensional stability and has no degradation of polystyrene (EPS) – which means it releases the full potential of EPS as carrier and filling substrate for sculptures and masters.
AC300
AC300 is extremely similar to AC100, but with some subtle differences. It’s an easy to use, adaptable material for most moulding and lamenting applications – AC300 produces less intense levels of colour when compared with AC100 due to
its lower acrylic content and is designed for applications where the performance of
AC100 isn’t required and more budget restricted projects.
AC630
This type of Jesmonite was designed for large scale external cladding panels and can be used for applications that require greater dimensional stability, overall strength, and enhanced durability.
It’s specifically for casts being used in extreme conditions, mainly in external building facades. The product can be cast extremely thin whilst spanning large areas and not losing its strength or levels of surface detail.
AC730
AC730 has low permeability – it is best first outside products because it is durable in all conditions of external weathering.
In comparison with ordinary Portland cement systems, AC730 has major reductions in efflorescence due to the reduced free-lime content and low alkalinity, therefore can achieve a wider breadth of colour without the inherent unsightly staining issues that occur with efflorescence. AC730 is available in 11 stunning colours with varied finishes and aggregation. To reveal the aggregate in AC730 you have to acid etch your piece, this also gives a rougher finish.
AC830
Much like the previous product, AC830 has very high durability in all conditions of external weather and is designed for thick, solid casting applications and reinforced laminates.
It is at home when being used for water features, statuary, cast stone decorative building elements and many more external products.
If you still need more help, feel free to contact us – but remember to bookmark this page to refer back to whenever you need!
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