Product Overview
Talc Powder – White Colored is an industrial grade magnesium silicate mineral supplied as a very fine, odorless crystalline powder. CAS 14807-96-6. It is naturally soft, hydrophobic and chemically inert — properties that make it a workhorse filler, coating pigment and process lubricant across plastics, paper, rubber and powder-processing operations.
This industrial grade designation is sourced for production-scale use: plastics compounders adding mineral filler to resin batches, paper mills running coating formulations, rubber processors reducing mold friction and powder blenders controlling flow. If your process needs a consistent, fine-particle talc at industrial volumes, this is the SKU.
Why This Grade
Industrial grade talc is selected for process economics. It delivers the lubricity, platelet structure and filler performance that production lines require without the cost premium of technical or technical designations. For a plastics compounder, that means a mineral filler that improves stiffness and dimensional stability in polypropylene or polyethylene parts at a price point that satisfies bulk-consumption budgets. For a paper coater, it means a pigment that raises opacity and brightness without blowing the materials line item.
If your application demands tighter particle-size specifications or documented assay certification, industrial grade may not be the right fit — evaluate your process tolerances and request a sample before committing to volume.
Chemical Profile
Talc powder appears as a white to grayish-white, very fine crystalline powder with an unctuous feel — it readily adheres to skin on contact. It is odorless, nonflammable, noncombustible and nontoxic. The molecular formula is H₂Mg₃O₁₂Si₄ with a molecular weight of 379.27 g/mol and a CAS number of 14807-96-6. Density falls in the range of 2.7 to 2.8. Solubility in water is negligible — less than 1 mg/mL at 70 °F — which accounts for its hydrophobic behavior in aqueous systems. Vapor pressure is essentially zero (0 mmHg at 68 °F), so it presents no vapor-phase exposure concern at ambient conditions.
Industrial Applications
Talc's combination of softness, chemical inertness and lamellar crystal structure gives it distinct roles in several industries:
-
Filler in plastics— Talc acts as a reinforcing mineral filler in thermoplastic compounds, particularly polypropylene and polyethylene. Blended into the resin at loading rates determined by the compounder, it increases flexural modulus and heat-deflection temperature while reducing resin consumption per part. The platelet shape also improves dimensional stability in molded components.
-
Paper coatings— In paper manufacturing, talc serves as a coating pigment and pitch-control agent. Applied in the coating formulation, it improves sheet brightness, opacity and printability. Its hydrophobic nature also helps control sticky deposits (pitch) on wet-end equipment.
-
Lubricant in rubber processing— Talc powder is dusted onto uncured rubber sheets and applied inside molds to prevent sticking and reduce surface friction during calendering and molding. It allows clean release without affecting the cure chemistry of the compound.
-
Anti-caking agent— In powder-handling operations, talc prevents clumping and improves flow characteristics of dry blends. Its low moisture absorption and fine particle size let it coat individual granules without altering product performance.
-
Cosmetic and personal-care formulations— Talc's absorbent properties and silky texture make it a standard ingredient in pressed powders, foundations and body powders, where it controls moisture and improves product feel on application.
Handling & Storage
Talc powder is not classified as hazardous under GHS based on available data (per the product's GHS classification). No signal word, pictogram, or hazard statement is assigned. That said, fine mineral dust demands basic industrial hygiene:
-
PPE— Wear a NIOSH-approved dust mask or respirator when handling loose powder, especially during transfers or blending. Use safety glasses and gloves to prevent eye and skin irritation from prolonged contact.
-
Dust control— Work in well-ventilated areas or use local exhaust ventilation. Minimize dust generation during scooping, pouring and conveying. Airborne fine particulate is an inhalation concern regardless of chemical classification.
-
Storage— Keep containers tightly sealed in a cool, dry area away from moisture and direct sunlight. Talc is chemically stable and does not degrade under normal warehouse conditions, but moisture ingress can cause clumping and compromise flowability.
-
Incompatibilities— Talc is chemically inert under standard conditions. No special segregation is required for storage.
Hazmat & Shipping
Talc powder is not regulated as a hazardous material for transport (per 49 CFR 172.101). No UN number, hazard class, packing group, or proper shipping name is assigned. Shipments do not require hazmat placarding or DOT hazmat documentation under federal transport rules.
Documentation
A Safety Data Sheet ships with every order — available in English, Spanish, French and Japanese. A Technical Data Sheet is also available for this product. Lot-specific Certificates of Analysis can be provided on request, giving you the batch documentation your QC process requires.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
This talc powder is available in pack sizes from 2 lbs for bench trials and sample evaluation up to 50 lbs for production runs — so you can test compatibility before scaling. Alliance Chemical has served over 50,000 customers since 1998, shipping from our warehouse at 204 S Edmond St, Taylor, Texas 76574. Product and shipping guidance on this page has been reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist.
