What is talc and its medical uses. Talc is the softest stone. What is talc made of?

In hot weather, the body gets rid of excess moisture and simply begins to sweat, sometimes this causes us a lot of inconvenience. How to deal with excess moisture where you wouldn’t want to see it at all. A product called “talc”, familiar from childhood, will help us with this. We know that there are special ones that rid the skin of ailments, but not only babies need to get rid of unpleasant moisture.

Women who have curvy figures have more than once encountered the problem when, in the heat, the skin under the breasts and between the legs sweats, where air does not get in, the skin begins to get wet, itches and itch, and it is simply unpleasant when streams of sweat rush somewhere down the body. Talc is a real salvation in such a situation.
Oriflame body talc is a mineral, soft, usually white, in powder form. Talcum powder smells nice. They come in the same scents as . The series usually includes eau de toilette, body cream, deodorant and talc. If used correctly, each cosmetic product complements each other, enveloping your body with a subtle aroma. The properties of talc are aimed at ridding the skin of excess moisture, eliminating its excess without drying it out.

Women can use talc as a drying agent, but also as a skin softener, providing pleasant comfort. Oriflame talc can be compared in composition. Talcum powder is recommended to be used after taking a shower or bath. Some female representatives use scented talc instead of perfume, as they say, and it is soft and the smell is pleasant. All prices for talc can be viewed at online catalog . . It's summer now and it's the perfect time to think about adding this product to your cosmetic arsenal. In the Oriflame catalog you will also find sunscreens, face and body sprays, deodorants for the body and feet and much more. All this can be purchased with an 18-30% discount by registering with the company and receiving your discount number.

Talc is the most abundant material on Earth, and this soft mineral is used in cosmetology and many industries. It occupies one of the first “honorable” places on the Mohs scale, which clearly indicates its softness, although coarse-grained talc, which is commonly called steatite, is also found in nature. And it is he who takes on the function of an ornamental stone.

Description of the mineral

Talc has been known to people for a long time, and one of the first to use it was George Agricola, a great scientist of the Renaissance. It was he who gave the mineral the name that people use to this day. Talc is a crystalline substance that, due to its physicochemical properties, feels greasy to the touch. This feature is explained by the friability of the mineral, and if it gets wet, it will be simply impossible to hold a piece of talc in your hands, because it was not for nothing that in ancient times it was called a “soap” stone.

“Real” talc is pure white, but if it contains metal impurities, the color palette expands significantly. For example, the presence of iron, aluminum, chromium, manganese, nickel determines the shade of the mineral, and it can have a pinkish, yellow-golden, silver-gray, or brownish color. In thin layers, an almost transparent mineral is sometimes found, very similar in appearance to mica and highly resistant to alkalis and acids. At its core, it is a secondary mineral formed as a result of changes in the chemical composition of magnesium silicates.

Deposits and production

The stone belongs to the category of the most ancient, as clearly evidenced by the finds of archaeologists in the territory of modern Egypt, where amulets and jewelry were discovered during research. In those distant times, talc was also mined in the East, and hard greenish stones were considered one of the best imitations of jade. Now it is mined almost all over the planet, and its main deposits in the Russian Federation are concentrated in the Urals and Siberia. Real deposits were discovered in the Transbaikal and Krasnoyarsk regions.

High-quality mineral is mined in France, Poland and some other European countries. Brazil, the USA, Egypt, China are all territories with inexhaustible sources of talc. Some areas of Africa and South America are very rich in it, but no mining is carried out, since no state lacks this unique stone, and its reserves are practically inexhaustible. It is noteworthy that stone with a solid structure is valued most.

Varieties

The appearance, structure and properties of the mineral are determined by impurities:

1. 1. Soapstone chlorite. The mineral contains chlorite and talc in a 1:1 ratio.
   2. Noble talc. This is the same ornamental stone that lends itself perfectly to processing and polishing. It has the appearance of white or translucent crystals, which are characterized by high density.

1. Willemseit. This mineral contains nickel and magnesium, with the former dominating the latter, which gives this stone a bluish-green hue.
2. Minnesotaite. Brown stone. What gives it this color? Iron dominant over magnesium.
3. Agalite. It is often confused with asbestos, and the reason for this confusion lies in the similarity of structures.
4. Soapstone. This is the same legendary “soap stone” or, as it is also called, “wen”. A distinctive feature is its massive, dense structure.

Physical and chemical properties

Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 is the chemical formula of talc, which is essentially a hydrous magnesium silicate. In some cases, silicon can be replaced by nature with aluminum or titanium, and magnesium with manganese or iron. The quantitative and qualitative composition of impurities directly depends on the deposit. Talc is formed by the transformation of certain minerals, and for the “process” to begin, it takes time, water and constant exposure to high temperature - about 400 degrees.

The stone can have the most bizarre shades: from white to brown, in addition, it can be translucent. It is characterized by low elasticity, however, some varieties of the mineral bend perfectly. The mineral has low electrical and thermal conductivity, it is non-toxic, and poorly soluble in acids and water. For medical and cosmetic purposes, talc is finely crushed and turned into a white powder that is greasy to the touch. If necessary, the powder can be sterilized at a temperature of 160 degrees, although this will take at least an hour.

Application in cosmetology

Women who use eye shadow every day have no idea that they contain talc. But it is this that allows decorative cosmetics not to fall off and adhere well to the skin. In addition, this powdery product is often included in creams and other cosmetics, including powder. What does this give? Talc protects the skin and keeps it soft, smooth and dry for a long time. The fact is that the mineral, crushed into dust, is an excellent adsorbent that literally collects sebum, sweat, chemicals, and bacteria on its surface. Thus, the epidermis is provided with additional protection.

According to some scientists, this unique powder prevents the appearance and proliferation of harmful microorganisms. This is probably why it is present in baby powders. In addition, it can also be found in face masks, dry deodorants and other products. Of course, special requirements are imposed on talc used in medicine and cosmetology: the particles must be of a certain size, free from impurities, foreign odors and pathogenic microflora.

Medicinal properties

Medical experts believe that talc takes on the function of an antiseptic and successfully performs it. This is clearly proven by the historical fact that before the invention of antibiotics in hospitals, wounds were filled with talcum powder, since there was simply no other alternative. And this really helped reduce the likelihood of gangrene. Yes, the powder has anti-inflammatory properties, but for it to “work”, its particles must have a certain size, since too small ones clog the pores of the skin, which, on the contrary, often causes inflammation.

Nowadays, people with delicate skin use talc powders, and in addition, they are simply irreplaceable for infants. By the way, some doctors recommend using this powder internally, which should not be done, since such experiments can negatively affect your health. Although, at the same time, talc is present in many medications, however, it is used as a filler, along with starch. If you manage to get hold of whole, uncrushed stones, they can be heated and used as a heating pad.

The benefits and harms of taklk

Talcum powder has more benefits than harm, but it still exists. This mineral is constantly being studied, during which scientists have found that it can be dangerous.

If you inhale mineral dust or powder for a long time, you can become a victim of a very unpleasant disease called talcosis. This disease is inherent in people whose occupation deals with mineral dust every day. In addition, oncologists have put forward their own version: talc, in certain situations, can act as a carcinogen and provoke the onset of cancer. It is noteworthy that this theory has not been confirmed.

Magic properties

Almost all ancient and medieval sorcerers believed that this talc, crushed to a powdery state, could restore lost youth and beauty. Their “clients” firmly believed in this, paying exorbitant sums for anti-aging ointments and creams. In part, such drugs contributed to giving the skin a more attractive appearance, but this is due not to magicians and witches, but to talc, which unwittingly became a source of enrichment for charlatans. It is noteworthy that this mineral is not used to make talismans and amulets, and in addition, it does not patronize any of the zodiac constellations.

Application

There is probably no industry in which talc is not used: this includes the production of rubber products, paper production, the production of paints and varnishes, and even the food industry. Since soapstone is endowed with unique physical and chemical properties, its use is significantly expanding. For example, large-sized minerals are sawn into slabs, which are used as lining material for sinks, switchboards, laboratory benches and other products. Often this material plays the role of a dry lubricant.

Where else can you find talc, besides pharmacies, hospitals and industrial plants? For example, in offices. The fact is that to prepare especially important documents, so-called talkative paper is used, which perfectly absorbs ink. In addition, progressive ateliers and sewing workshops have long switched to talc chalk instead of the usual one (involved in cutting fabric). This is due to the fact that compressed talc is much easier to remove from the material, and this is very important. Talc powder can be found anywhere, for example, it is sprinkled on plastic and rubber products to prevent them from sticking, and even ordinary rubber household gloves are always powdered from the inside with this universal powder.

Talc - Mg3 (OH)2

Composition of talc

Chemical composition of talc.

Contains impurities of Fe (up to 2-5%), Al, Ca, Mn, Ni.

Origin of name. The name is ancient Arabic. origin. Synonym: steatite, or wen.

Morphological characteristics. Foliated and scaly aggregates (talc slate), star-shaped clusters, dense fine- and cryptoflaky rocks (talc stone, etc.), rarely fibrous masses (agalite) or tabular crystals, poorly faceted and easily split into thin plates and leaves.

The color in large leafy discharges is light green, sometimes white with a yellowish, brownish tint; It can be either colorless or quite thickly colored (brown and dark green). Darker tones are characteristic of dense, contaminated aggregates such as soapstone. The color intensity depends on the content of impurity elements (especially Fe) or the presence of iron hydroxides.

Thin plates of light, iron-free varieties are characterized by transparency or translucency.

The luster of leafy talc is glassy, ​​with a pearlescent sheen on the cleavage planes; in dense masses - dull shimmering.

Properties of talc

• Greasy to the touch.
• The cleavage is very perfect; the adhesive leaves are flexible and slightly more elastic than those of pyrophyllite.
• Hardness 1 (the lowest hardness standard on the Mohs scale); easy to draw with a fingernail and cut with a knife.
• Specific gravity 2.6-2.8.
• Inert towards acids and alkalis.

Talc deposits

Origin and distribution. Quite widespread. The chief rock-forming mineral of rocks called soapstone, soapstone, wen, soapstone, or potstone. Formed during hydrothermal processing of ultramafic rocks, dolomites or as a result of metamorphism of magnesium-rich sedimentary rocks.

Satellite minerals:

In deposits associated with ultrabasic rocks - serpentine, carbonates (magnesite, sometimes ankerite, dolomite, calcite), also chlorite, actinolite (less commonly tremolite), iron oxides (magnetite, hematite), pyrite, residual chromite group minerals, tourmaline, apatite, epidote, fuchsite (green chromium-containing muscovite); in deposits associated with hydrothermal alteration or metamorphism of dolomites and dolomitic limestones (marbles) - calcite, dolomite, quartz, sometimes serpentine, thermolite. Deposits in the Urals: Shabrovskoye, Nizhne-Isetskoye and others in the Sverdlovsk region, also in the Miass district of the Chelyabinsk region.

Stable on the surface of the earth; during hydrothermal alteration it can transform into a mixture of magnesite and quartz.

Diagnostic signs. It differs from aggregates of micas, hydromicas, and clay minerals by its very low hardness, pearlescent luster on the planes of perfect cleavage in leafy secretions, light color, fat content to the touch, and also by the association of minerals and rocks. It differs from pyrophyllite by chemical reactions (see pyrophyllite).

Practical significance. Iron-free, finely ground talc is widely used for medical and hygienic purposes; in perfumery and cosmetics; also as a solid lubricant; in ceramic production. Talc powder is used as a filler in the manufacture of rubber, paper, paints, soap, soft pencils for glass, metal, and fabric; in textiles as a bleaching material for cleaning cotton; for electrical insulators in high voltage networks; in the production of glazes, acid- and alkali-resistant vessels, drainpipes. Soapstones, especially those containing magnesite, combine fire-resistant, acid- and alkali-resistant, heat- and electrical-insulating properties.

Table. Chemical composition and physical properties of talc for the cable industry.

Index	Standard for talc brands		Test method
	TKV	TK1
1. Mass fraction of iron compounds soluble in hydrochloric acid, calculated as iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3), %, no more	0,5	0,6	GOST 19728.4-2001 Talc and talcomagnesite. Determination of iron oxide GOST 19728.4
2. Mass fraction of iron extracted by magnet, %, no more	0,02	0,04	GOST 25216-82 Talc and talcomagnesite. Method for determination of iron GOST 25216
3. Mass fraction of calcined residue insoluble in hydrochloric acid, %, not less	90	90	GOST 19728.1-2001 Talc and talcomagnesite. Determination of residue insoluble in hydrochloric acid GOST 19728.1
4. Mass fraction of water-soluble substances, %, no more	0,2	0,2	GOST 19728.12-2001 Talc and talcomagnesite. Determination of water-soluble salts GOST 19728.12
5. Mass fraction of Cl ions in aqueous extract, %, no more	0,01	0,01	GOST 19728.13-2001 Talc and talc-magnesite. Determination of chlorine ions in aqueous extract GOST 19728.13
6. Mass fraction of SO 4 ions in aqueous extract, %, no more	0,01	0,01	GOST 19728.14-2001 Talc and talcomagnesite. Determination of sulfate ions in aqueous extract GOST 19728.14
7. Mass fraction of manganese oxide (MnO), %, no more	0,01	0,01	GOST 19728.9-2001 Talc and talcomagnesite. Determination of manganese (II) oxide GOST 19728.9
8. Mass fraction of copper (Cu), %, no more	0,003	0,003	GOST 19728.10-2001 Talc and talcomagnesite. Determination of copper GOST 19728.10
9. Weight loss on ignition, %, no more	7	7	GOST 19728.17-2001 Talc and talcomagnesite. Determination of weight loss during ignition GOST 19728.17
10. Mass fraction of moisture, %, no more	0,5	0,5	GOST 19728.19-2001 Talc and talcomagnesite. Determination of moisture GOST 19728.19
11. Grinding fineness:			GOST 19728.20-2001 Talc and talcomagnesite. Determination of particle size distribution GOST 19728.20
remainder on the grid, %, no more:
№014	Absent
№009	-	2
№ 0045	3	-

One of the most common minerals. The coarse-grained variety of talc is called soapstone, also called soapstone.

Talc is a common mineral that is green to white in color, has a pearly luster, is oily to the touch, and is extremely soft. Has a minimum (1 point) hardness on the Mohs scale. Oily to the touch.

It is a fatty friable powder.

– acidic magnesium metasilicate H2Mg3(SiO3)4 – crystallizes in the orthorhombic or monoclinic system and is usually found in nature in the form of dense leafy or granular aggregates. Talc is a secondary mineral formed as a result of the transformation of aluminum-free magnesium silicates, in particular amphibole or pyroxene. It often represents a pseudomorph that retains the crystalline structure of the original mineral, although it differs from it in chemical composition.

The quality of talc differs by its whiteness. For industrial purposes there is ground talc, microtalc, etc.

Main deposits. The USA is the world leader in the production of talc and steatite. Other countries that produce significant quantities of talc each year are Japan, South Korea, Russia, Brazil and India.

Application used in everyday life as a gasket, powder to prevent things from sticking together (in rubber gloves) or rubbing (in shoes like shoe powder), used in rubber, paper, paint and varnish and other industries (as a filler), in medicine and perfumery and cosmetics industry. Talc is the only component of pharmaceutical talc powder and a common base for cosmetic preparations. French chalk and tailor's chalk are fine-grained, white varieties of talc. Soapstone is acid-resistant and is a good electrical and thermal insulator. It can be sawn into pieces of the required sizes and shapes for covering laboratory tables, lining sinks, ovens and switchboards. Since ancient times, this material has been used to make ornaments.

An important area of ​​application is ceramics (especially radio-insulating).

Varieties

Minnesotaite (Fe content 50-80 at.%),
- willemseite - essentially nickel,
- steatite (wen) - dense massive,
- agalite - fine-fiber,
- noble talc - transparent light.

Medicinal properties

In medicine talc most often used in the form of powder. This mineral has anti-inflammatory properties and is suitable not only for adults, but also for young children. Traditional healers sometimes use green talc to prepare cosmetic creams.

Magic properties

In magical practice talc used to prepare potions, with the help of which, as was commonly thought, youth and beauty could be restored. Most often these were various creams and ointments that acted as cosmetics.

We become familiar with talc in early childhood. Baby powders that save babies from diaper rash must contain powdered talc. As we get older, we inflate rubber toys coated with talcum powder to prevent sticking.

Having become adults and starting construction, we meticulously select soapstone for arranging a bathhouse and connect heating devices to the electrical network, not even suspecting the presence of talc in both.

But we also eat talcum powder! The natural mineral is one of the approved food additives. Chocolates sprinkled with talcum powder do not cake and do not change the taste. The chemical composition of the substance determines the inertness of the material in relation to active reagents of the digestive tract.

Physical and chemical properties of talc

Talc is a recognized standard of softness of natural materials. There is no stone on Earth that is softer and more pliable than talc - this is especially noted by the placement of the mineral in first place on the Mohs scale of comparative hardness.

The chemical formula of talc is Mg3Si4O10(OH)2. Hydrogenated magnesium silicate often includes impurities - metals, water. Impurity metals change the color of the stone. In nature, talc is colorless or white, grayish, or has shades of green or yellow-green. The mineral is translucent. The shine is greasy, sometimes pearlescent.

The density of talc does not reach 2.85 g/cm3. The crystals are prismatic, with a flattened pyramidal top. They have no jewelry value. Talc does not react with acids and alkalis.

History of the mineral

The mineral owes its name to the Persians: talq in Farsi means “white, pure.” In Russian tradition, the stone was called soap or wen. The famous metallurgist of the 15th century Georg Agricola, compiling a register of natural substances, named the soft, easily exfoliated rock talc - and the name stuck.

Attempts to use talc in business go back several thousand years. Iron-free talc ground into powder is a reliable remedy for abrasions and diaper rash on the skin. For perfumers, talc is one of the natural aroma concentrates. Stove makers use soapstone for laying stoves and fireplaces: the fireproof properties of the mineral are widely known.

Ancient Egyptian talc jewelry, carved more than seven thousand years ago, has reached us. Primitive necklaces of those years stand side by side in museum windows with finely detailed images of scarab beetles.

The Sumerians cut seals from talc. The Greeks and Romans made talc cameos. In ancient China, colored talc was passed off as jade. Russian carvers left several creations, among which the carved icon of Dmitry of Thessaloniki especially stands out.

Modern Finnish craftsmen carve various containers from soapstone that are in demand in the household.

Origin and deposits

According to mineralogists, talc is formed as a result of the interaction of dolomites and water from hot springs. Soapstones of various impurity composition are a consequence of the reactions of silicic acid decomposition of magnesian rocks.

Talc deposits are ubiquitous. However, only in Brazil are large (up to 5 cm) crystals of talc covered with a quartz crust found. The United States has remained the champion in industrial talc production for many years. Canada, France, Russia, and the countries of the Far East are famous for the development of high-quality talc.

Use of talc

Talc is inert, which allows it to be used as a filler in the production of paints and varnishes. Unlike coated paper, talc paper absorbs ink well and is therefore used for drawing up especially important documents.

Talc rolling turns kraft paper into a product that can withstand heat and electrical breakdown. The addition of talc to the composition of the ceramic mass increases the resistance of the product to intense high-frequency irradiation.

In certain branches of mechanical engineering, talc is used as a solid lubricant. Treating rubbing surfaces with talc powder is a common technological technique. In light industry, pressed talc is used as a marking material. Talc chalk, unlike regular chalk, is easily washed off from fabric.

Women know: powder (even the most inexpensive) dries the skin well and reliably protects it from the effects of dust-like allergens. The powder is made, of course, from talc! Other decorative cosmetics also contain talc.

Official medicine has been introducing talc into external body treatments for several hundred years. Traditional medicine went even further.

The healing properties of talc

Folk healers mix cosmetic creams based on fat and emulsion with herbs, and powdered green (nickel) talc is always used as a thickener.

Homemade soap, flavored with a hefty dose of talc, lathers well, glides over the skin, relieves inflammation, and treats pustular diseases. True, doctors do not encourage talc powder to enter the body. Inhalation of talc, according to some data, can cause pneumoconiosis. The introduction of tiny particles of talc into the mucous surface of the genital organs creates a danger of the appearance of neoplasms.

The heat capacity and thermal conductivity of talc surprisingly closely coincide with similar parameters of the human body. The comfortable perception of heated talc stone makes it possible to use the mineral in heating treatment. Direct contact with soapstone is pleasant for a person!

The magical properties of talc

Healing potions that can restore youth and bestow beauty are traditionally made using talcum powder. Spells and involtations performed on a symbol carved from talcum powder are ineffective. Although it does not have great inner strength, talc is nevertheless oriented toward goodness.

Talc amulets and talismans help all people equally. It is much more effective to keep soapstone in a large mass in the house (bathroom cladding, sauna heater, sculptural decorations). Then the soft, blurry, but noticeably positive effect of talcum powder will be noticeable.