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May 20, 2022
#Jesmonite

Which Jesmonite is Right for You?

AC100?AC300? AC730? We get it. There are so many numbers and letters attached to Jesmonite, it can all feel a bit overwhelming. But don’t worry! To help you out, we’ve outlined the different types of Jesmonite below, along with what they’re best for, so you can decide which Jesmonite is right for you!

Jesmonite AC100

It’s likely that Jesmonite AC100 is the one you’re most familiar with, and it’s certainly the most popular amongst crafters and makers. It’s incredibly versatile and works for a whole range of applications, from large scale film sets to smaller decorative items. The finished product will feel like smooth stone and will have brilliant strength and durability. You can easily adapt AC100 by adding pigments to create bespoke colours, and you can experiment with different techniques such as marbling and terrazzo. The one thing that AC100 won’t work for is outdoor use. It can be made splash-proof using the sealers for items such as coasters, but for pieces that will be exposed to water, AC730 is the one you need. We’ll come onto this later.

Jesmonite AC300

Think of Jesmonite AC300 as AC100’s younger sibling. It still has all of the same amazing properties as Jesmonite AC100, but it features a slightly lower acrylic content, meaning it’s great for creating pieces that don’t require as much strength. It’s a cost-effective alternative to AC100 and if you’re sticking to making smaller indoor pieces such as decorative statues and trays, AC300 is more than suitable!

Jesmonite AC730

For creating items that will be exposed to the elements such as plant pots and soap dishes, we’d recommend using Jesmonite AC730. It can of course be used for decorative items that won’t see any water too. Many people like to use it for a range of applications as the base component features a beautiful, unique blend of decorative aggregate. When the piece is acid etched, the decorative aggregate will show through. This gives your finished creation a totally different look to AC100 and AC300. You can still add pigments to AC730, however the base components of AC730 are pre-pigmented with stunning, natural, earthy hues. If you’re looking to achieve a set colour with pigments, we’d recommend using one of the three lightest base options (White Marble, Silver Grey Granite or Natural Stone).

Jesmonite AC200

Now we’re onto the ones you’re less likely to know or use. Jesmonite AC200 is much like AC100 and AC300 in that it sets to a hard surface, but AC200 can be carved or shaped using tools such as CNC machines, routers or chisels. This makes it ideal for creating masters for your mouldmaking.

Jesmonite AC630, AC830 and AC930

We’ve grouped these ones together as they’re not currently stocked here at Polysil. They can be ordered on request and it’s still good to understand what they do. Jesmonite AC630 is used for projects that need better dimensional stability and strength, whereas AC830 has extremely high durability against external weathering. It is often used to create things like water features and decorative building features. Jesmonite AC930 is supplied as an economic alternative to AC730, however it’s only supplied in bulk and is only available in one colour, which is light grey.

Hopefully we’ve cleared up any confusion you might have had, but if you need any more help choosing the right Jesmonite for you, feel free to check out Jesmonite.com and to get in touch!