Talc is an hydrated magnesium silicate, belonging to the subclass of phyllosilicates. Its crystals are thin and lamellar forming, when massive, wide range of colours (i.e.: white, pink, green, grey or black). Talc can be found in various grades, different by purity, colour and lamellarity. Its main characteristics are: it’s naturally hydrophobic and lipophilic, it’s chemically inert, resisting very well to acids and bases; it’s the softest mineral; it’s a good electric and thermal insulator and it’s neither flammable nor explosive. Thanks to these characteristics, talc is a mineral of choice in many industrial uses.
The five main properties of talc that make it a unique substance for industrial and domestic applications are:
- Lamellarity (composed of platelets that slide off each other)
- Softness (unctuous and non abrasive)
- Chemical inertness
- Affinity for organic chemicals
- Whiteness
Talc is used as an anti-sticking agent, an anti-caking agent, a lubricant, a carrier, a thickener, a strengthening filler, a smooth filler, and an adsorbent.