Usage areas of Talc

Talc chemicals, according to the “Mohs scale”, which classifies the materials in the world according to their hardness of 10 degrees and the human nail has a hardness of 2.5, talc is in the 1st degree and gains the title of the softest mineral known. Talc, classified by mineralogists as “cuttable-sectyl”, has the formula Mg3 Si4 O10(OH)2 and is called “magnesium silicate hydroxide”. Talc with a specific weight of 2.5-2.8 has a translucent-opaque appearance. It gives a slippery feeling when touched by hand. It is not affected by acids and is insoluble in water. When it is pure, it is a very bright white colored, chemically inert mineral with a high melting point, low heat and electrical conductivity and high absorption power. Although it is originally white, it is greenish, bluish, It may be gray in color. In terms of its formation, it is a metamorphic mineral (2,3). Talc is out of medical use today; It is used in tons of amounts in the rubber, ceramics, pesticides, paint, casting, plastic, insulation, paper, cement, cosmetics and food industries (2,4).

Talc gives a slippery feeling when touched by hand. It is not affected by acids. It is a very bright, chemically inert, high melting point, low heat and electrical conductivity, high absorption power mineral. The mineral can be white, gray, dull green, silvery white and translucent.

Usage areas

• Talc; It is used in ceramics, paint production, roof coating, pesticide production, rubber and paper industry, cosmetics and pharmacology, asphalt filler production, animal feed and fertilizer production. Softness, oil absorption, moisture content, melting point, specific gravity, thermal and electrical conductivity and chemical analysis are important according to the intended use.
• In the Ceramic Industry: Talc has a very low thermal expansion feature, so it is used in bathroom and kitchen ceramics and in plates of electric stoves. Homogeneity is required in terms of physical and chemical structure in talc to be used in the ceramic industry. In addition, grain size and distribution and cooking color are also important. Manganese and iron are undesirable impurities in its composition. Talc used in electroceramics and glazing is pure magnesium silicate. Also, chlorite-free compact talc (steatite) can be used.
• In Roofing: Generally poor quality talc is used for this job. Therefore, whiteness and purity are not sought in the raw material. Desired properties are grain size and distribution, and oil absorption.
• In the Paint Industry: Talc with fiber and leaf properties is used in the production of paint and similar oils due to its oil absorption feature. Talc used in the paint industry should be extremely white and of high tenor when grinded. Talc fiber enables the paint layers to interlock with each other and on the surface. It prevents heavy paint materials from collapsing and ensures that the paint is more homogeneous. Talc chemicals
• Against Pests: Talc is also used to make pesticides. It gives the drug the properties of toxic effect, desired density and low abrasiveness.
• In the Rubber Industry: Talc is used as a filler in the production of many synthetic rubbers, plastics and rubbers. It gives a firm texture to the item.
• In the Paper Industry: Talc can be easily used in the paper industry due to its softness, grain size, ink absorption and water-soluble properties.
• In Cosmetics and Pharmacology: Since it is possible to obtain the desired particle size of talc, it is used in the production of cosmetic products and pharmaceuticals due to its chemical purity and lubricity. The properties sought in talc used in this industry are the low content of fibrous and hard minerals, and the low amounts of arsenic and iron. Talc chemicals