FAQs

Q: Can I use Jesmonite base with Ecrylimer liquid?
A: Ecrylimer liquid was not designed with Jesmonite in mind, so we do not recommend combining Jesmonite base and Ecrylimer liquid. Bramblier did conduct a trial at a client’s specific request and combining the two produced a very short working time, thick material and lots of bubbles. The design and normal use of Ecrylimer negates these 3 drawbacks.

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Q: How much stock do you have?
A: Bramblier maintains high stock levels in our warehouse and has a plan to maintain business continuity by receiving ongoing replacement ingredients for us to manufacture.

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Q: What is the working time of Ecrylimer?

A: On average about 5-10 minutes depending on your ratio, the liquid is thinner than Jesmonite and does stay fluid for longer, giving you more creative options.

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Q: Does it really have less bubbles than Jesmonite?

A: Yes, in developing this product this was a key factor we wanted to solve. Some pigments are found to make the mixture more bubbly, and you can spritz with an alcohol spray to help them pop.

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Q: What pigments can I use?
A: We recommend the Bramblier range of pigments - we have primary, neons and accent colours available in 10gram - 500gram sizes. Ecrylimer is compatible with Jesmonite pigments. Other alternatives are also the JoSonja range of Acrylic paints using less than 1%  (in particular high pigmented versions such as Pthalo blue and green). Mica and Oxide powders can be used. 

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Q: Do I need to seal a vessel before I put candle wax in it?
A: Whilst Ecrylimer Pro has been tested with unfragranced Soy wax and it does not penetrate to discolour the outer of the vessel. Bramblier has conducted a number of single and double wick tests up to 40 continuous hours, no external discolouration occurs. The Bramblier matte sealer is suggested as great option to use to ensure no seepage on the inside and it's the only sealer to use on the inside of the candle vessel. The other sealers we have can be used on the outside of the vessel. If you wish to make candle vessels with Ecrylimer Pro you must completely test your finished candle to ensure it works as expected - there are many varying factors such as wax, oils, moulds that can impact the end result. 
Note - Ecrylimer Bold and Bold+ are suited for candle holders, not vessels.

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Q: Is Ecrylimer food safe?

A: Straight out of the mould it is not food safe as it is a porous material. To achieve a high food safe level this would require a complete long lasting seal (like a glass glaze on ceramic dinnerware). 
We do offer 2 sealers that have varying levels of food contact ability and these are the Gloss Glaze and the Cast or Coat Resin.

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Q: Is Ecrylimer classed as flammable?
A: No. Ecrylimer has been subjected to several tests at 2000 °C (LPG blow torch). It will glow red hot and discolour at that temperature but will not burn. Do not replicate this type of test. Bramblier carried them out under controlled conditions and products of decomposition (see SDS) were evident. 

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Q: Is Ecrylimer waterproof?
A: No. It does require sealing, just the same as Jesmonite. We have 6 sealer options varying from light water resistance through to full waterproofing.

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Q. Does food safe wax make Ecrylimer or Jesmonite sealed and food safe?

A. No - using a food safe wax will produce a lustre on the product, however it doesn't make it food safe in anyway as it doesn't seal the product permanently or enough to stop moisture.

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Q: The liquid seems to be separated?

A: Yes the liquid will separate once it has sat for a while, it just needs to be shaken. You should give it a shake each time before using it.

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Q: Is Ecrylimer Vegan?

A: Absolutely! Ecrylimer is completely vegan-friendly. We’re committed to ensuring our products align with a variety of ethical choices. The only exception in our product line is the Beeswax sealer, which, as the name suggests, is derived from bees.

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Q: Is Ecrylimer Biodegradable or recyclable?

A: While Ecrylimer isn't biodegradable, this characteristic is actually a testament to its durability, akin to pottery. It's designed to last, reducing the need for frequent replacements and thereby contributing to waste reduction in its own way. However, it's not traditionally recyclable. If you have broken pieces, we encourage embracing the beautiful Japanese art of Kintsugi - repairing the broken pieces artistically, rather than discarding them. This approach not only gives your Ecrylimer creation a new lease on life but also aligns with sustainable principles by reducing waste.
 

Q. What is Crystalline Silica?

A. Crystalline Silica, a substance which Bramblier products are free of, is a known carcinogen when inhaled, commonly leads to Silicosis, a fatal lung disease with no cure. According to the Australian Cancer Council, nearly one person a day in our country is diagnosed with Silicosis. As at time of writing, they advise there are 579 diagnosed cases in Australia. Doing the maths on those numbers shows just how lethal it is. These numbers and their lethality form the basis of the current and expanding movement to ban kitchen benchtops and other products made of Caesarstone, (up to 93% of which is Crystalline Silica).
 

Q. Does any version of Ecrylimer present a Crystalline Silica hazard?

A. The short and honest answer is no.

Ecrylimer Pro, Ecrylimer BOLD, Ecrylimer BOLD+ and the commercial version of Ecrylimer: Bramstone, do not present a Crystalline Silica hazard.
 

The long and honest answer is more detailed however, the advice remains the same: Ecrylimer does not present a Silicosis hazard. 

Ecrylimer BOLD is the only product we can find trace elements of Crystalline Silica in, equivalent to approx. 7 parts per million (PPM). So, a kilogram (KG) of BOLD has approx  0.000007 grams in it. To put this into a more understandable perspective using scale, if you had 1 tonne of Caesarstone, it will contain upto  930KG (Kilograms) of Crystalline Silica. If you had 1 tonne (1000KG) of BOLD, you would probably only just have enough Crystalline Silica for approx. 1/2 a grain of rice, (short - not long grain).

Bramblier does, hand on heart, legally declare our products to be free of Crystalline Silica (GHS7), because only BOLD contains even trace elements of it, our other products contain none.

This makes BOLD 99.999992% safer (the answer just fits on a calculator), than Caesarstone.

 

Q. What about other common molding and casting products used in Australia?

Hydrostone

Is a product imported from the USA, commonly used in our candle industry, and contains crystalline silica according to its SDS (Safety Data Sheet). While it is a proprietary mix a basic estimation reveals it contains approx. 2-3% of crystalline silica and has a DANGER warning accordingly.  Further on the subject of safety, it also contains another flagged carcinogen : Titanium dioxide. The safety data sheet for Hydrostone indicates it as a dangerous and hazardous material, these facts should be a crucial consideration for users not only for themselves, but others and including pets.

Jesmonite
The Jesmonite Safety Data Sheet - SDS (15th March 2017 for AC100/200/300) states generally it may include trace elements of Crystalline Silica. Trace elements by definition are up to .1% by proportion.  Doing the maths in relation to Silicosis risk only, Ecrylimer is up to 98.3% safer than Jesmonite. Further on the subject of safety, Jesmonite states it contains products classed as biocides which may cause allergic reactions and irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. It also contains formaldehyde, known for its irritant properties and potential health risks, particularly with prolonged or high-level exposure.

Pungent products

A1 (The Netherlands)

Ausmonite

Just Resin ARC

There are a number of molding and casting products that have the same smell. That smell is ammonia. These typically use a type of base powder common to them, Calcium Sulphate. This necessitates ammonia to obtain their reaction for setting. Calcium Sulphate does not present a Silicosis risk on the information available, however, ammonia presents a number of hazards including inhalation, eye and skin dangers. According to SDS research on these products, they also contain Biocides

 

Q. How safe are Ecrylimer products compared to other crafting materials?
A. Ecrylimer products stand out for their safety. They do not contain hazardous chemicals like biocides, ammonia, formaldehyde, or titanium dioxide, which are often found in claimed "eco resin" crafting materials. All the substances mentioned here can be harmful, and we recommend reviewing their safety data sheets for more information. Our products meet the safety standards set by Safe Work Australia and are not classified as dangerous goods for transport.

Q. What should I do if I have safety concerns about any product from any supplier?
A. Your safety is paramount. We encourage you to always ask for clarity on any safety-related aspect of any product you use. If a supplier's response doesn't satisfy you, is contradictory, or if you're concerned about the safety of a product, consider switching to a safer alternative. At Bramblier.co, we're committed to providing transparent and comprehensive information about our products, prioritising your health and wellbeing.

Q. Can you provide more insight into the safety and composition of Ecrylimer?
A. Absolutely. Ecrylimer was developed by our team in 2021, and we are fully aware of its composition. We ensure that it contains no harmful substances. The safety of our products is not just a claim but a commitment backed by thorough research and understanding. Our Manager holds a degree in Public Safety and has published technical papers on hazardous chemical responses, ensuring our products are developed with the utmost safety in mind.

Q. Why should customers trust Bramblier products over others in the market?
A. Our expertise and commitment to safety set us apart. The information about our products' safety and environmental impact is verifiable through open-source resources. We understand the ingredients of our products intimately. Having invented Ecrylimer ourselves, we totally understand what we did not want in it! Our products are rigorously tested and adhere to the highest quality and safety standards.

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Q: Does Ecrylimer have to be mixed with a mechanical mixer?

A: We highly recommend using a paint mixer on the end of a drill for at least 60 seconds. It's quick and effective and mixes all the product correctly. You will get the best results this way. However, you can absolutely hand mix and this will require you to mix for between 1-2 minutes.

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Q: Are you really an Australian company?
A: Yes. We are 100% Australian owned and operate our manufacturing from Launceston in Tasmania.

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Q: Do you have to sand each piece after it is released from a mould?

A: No. There is little or no sanding required. We usually use a peeler on the edges at the bottom to smooth those out.

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Q: I can see darker spots when I de-molded making it look patchy - what is this?

A: These are moisture areas. It is really important to demold as soon as it's ready so as to not get these sweat marks. If you see them on demolding remove the piece outside to the sun if possible to try and reverse the process. They show up more on pale colours and waxing can help once cured to try and diffuse the look.

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Q: My pour took a lot longer than 30-40 minutes to set?

A: There are 3 reasons this may happen - incorrect ratios of 1 liquid to 2.5 powder. Not mixing the compound on high with a mechanical mixture for at least 60 seconds or by hand for 1-2 minutes. Using more than 2% pigment - this is especially for white or white based pigments that will increase set time.

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Q: Is Ecrylimer as hard as Jesmonite.
A: Yes, it certainly appears so when tested to destruction under controlled conditions and measured with a newton meter.

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Q: Does Ecrylimer have an SDS available and where can I get a copy?
A: Yes. An SDS for the powder and separate SDS for the liquid are both available upon request from Bramblier.co.
A quick summary:
Ecrylimer liquid (an Eco Acrylic Polymer), is not classed as dangerous goods for the purposes of the ADG (Australian Dangerous Goods) or IATA (International Aviation Transport Association). Under the GHS7 there is NO signal word as it is not classed as Hazardous.
Ecrylimer powder (Composite Gypsum Triturate), is not classed as dangerous goods for the purposes of the ADG (Australian Dangerous Goods) or IATA (International Aviation Transport Association). Under the GHS7 the signal word is: Warning.

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Q: How long do I have to wait before I demold?
A: At least 25-40 minutes, it can be quicker sometimes depending on your mold.

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Q: Are there any VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) in Ecrylimer?
A: No, there are not.

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We are here to help! Please reach out anytime with questions :)