Talc is a naturally occurring clay mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate, with the chemical formula Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂.
There are many types of talc and each ore body has its own features, and its own geology, but all talcs exhibit the following unique properties: softness, water repellency, chemical inertness, platyness, and an affinity for organic substances.
As a natural ore, talc is always found in combination with at least one other mineral most commonly Chlorite.
Talc is plate-like or lamellar, hydrophobic and it is the softest mineral on Mohs’ scale of mineral hardness, which means it can be scratched by your fingernail. As such it brings a unique set of performance attributes to a wide range of applications for paper and board, ranging from pitch and stickies control in paper making enabling mills to work in closed water circuits and optimizing prime resources, to achieving high barrier performance in paper coating. When used in production of ceramics, it contributes to making the ceramic stronger and more durable.
Talc has a greasy feel and a pearly or waxy luster. In its natural state, talc can be white, gray, green, or brown. Talc is found in metamorphic rocks all over the world. It is mined from the earth and then crushed, dried, and milled into a fine powder.
