Product Overview
Talc Powder ACS is a finely milled magnesium silicate mineral (CAS 14807-96-6) supplied under the ACS Grade designation. It presents as a white to grayish-white, very fine crystalline powder with a characteristically smooth, unctuous feel. Nonflammable, noncombustible, and odorless, talc is one of the softest minerals in commercial use — and one of the most versatile.
Industrial buyers use this material as a filler in plastics, a body component in ceramics, a dry lubricant in manufacturing, a carrier in agricultural formulations, and an analytical reagent in labs. Alliance Chemical offers Talc Powder ACS in sizes from 2 lbs for bench-scale evaluation up to bulk 50 lbs quantities for production runs.
Why This Grade
The ACS Grade designation tells a buyer that this talc was procured to a specification tier associated with analytical and laboratory work. Facilities that run quality-control assays, prepare reference standards, or need a consistent mineral filler with documented purity select ACS-designated material to reduce the risk of interference from trace contaminants. If your process demands traceable documentation and lot-level accountability, ACS Grade is the appropriate pick.
For operations where the talc functions purely as a bulk filler or carrier — and where lot-specific assay documentation is not a procurement requirement — a technical or industrial grade may be a more cost-effective option. Match the grade to the sensitivity of the process, not to a general assumption about quality.
Chemical Profile
Talc Powder ACS is a hydrated magnesium silicate with the molecular formula H₂Mg₃O₁₂Si₄ and a molecular weight of 379.27 g/mol (CAS 14807-96-6). It appears as a white to grayish-white, very fine crystalline powder that readily adheres to skin — a direct consequence of its lamellar crystal structure and natural softness. The powder is odorless. Its density falls between 2.7 and 2.8, notably high for a mineral powder, which gives it useful settling and packing characteristics in filled systems. Talc is practically insoluble in water, with solubility below 1 mg/mL at 70 °F, and exerts essentially zero vapor pressure (~0 mmHg at 68 °F). It is nonflammable and noncombustible.
Industrial Applications
Talc's combination of softness, hydrophobicity, chemical inertness, and platy particle shape makes it a workhorse mineral across multiple sectors.
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Filler in plastics: Talc reinforces polypropylene and other thermoplastics by increasing stiffness and heat-deflection temperature without adding significant weight. Compounders incorporate it at controlled loading levels to tune the mechanical profile of molded parts — automotive interior panels, appliance housings, and packaging components.
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Ceramics: In ceramic bodies and glazes, talc acts as a flux and a source of magnesia. It lowers firing temperatures and promotes the formation of enstatite and cordierite phases, which improve thermal shock resistance in stoneware and electrical porcelain.
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Manufacturing lubricant: Talc's lamellar structure allows crystal layers to slide over one another, giving it inherent dry-lubricant properties. Rubber and cable manufacturers dust molds and extruded profiles with talc to prevent blocking and surface tack during processing.
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Carrier for pesticides: Agricultural formulators use talc as a diluent and carrier in dust-applied pesticide and herbicide blends. Its hydrophobic surface resists moisture pickup, keeping the formulation free-flowing in humid storage.
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Analytical reagent: Labs use ACS-designated talc as a reference mineral, a filtration aid, or a matrix component in method development. The grade designation supports procurement controls in quality systems that require documented raw-material sourcing.
Handling & Storage
Talc Powder ACS is classified under GHS as Carcinogenicity Category 1B: signal word Danger, H350 May cause cancer (health hazard pictogram). Obtain special instructions before use, do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood, and wear protective gloves and eye protection. See the SDS for full handling guidance.
That said, any fine mineral powder generates airborne dust during transfer and weighing. Wear appropriate PPE — at minimum, gloves and a dust mask or respirator rated for nuisance dust — when handling open containers. Work in a well-ventilated area or use local exhaust to control airborne particulate.
Store in a cool, dry location with containers tightly closed to prevent moisture uptake and contamination. Avoid contact with strong acids, which can degrade the silicate matrix. The powder is nonflammable and presents no fire or explosion risk under normal storage conditions.
Shipping and handling guidance reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist.
Hazmat & Shipping
Talc Powder ACS 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. Standard ground, air, and ocean carriers can accept this product without hazmat documentation or placarding on the shipper's end.
Documentation
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) ships with every order. SDS documents are available in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese. A lot-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) is also available on request, providing the analytical data tied to your shipment. A Technical Data Sheet (TDS) with detailed product specifications can be supplied as well — contact us to request a copy with your order.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
Talc Powder ACS is available to order in sizes from 2 lbs to 50 lbs — whether you need a small quantity for a lab bench or bulk bags for a production line, the packaging range matches real procurement needs without forcing a minimum you cannot use.
Alliance Chemical has served over 55,000 customers since 1998, shipping from our warehouse at 204 S Edmond St, Taylor, Texas 76574. Every order of Talc Powder ACS includes an SDS and access to a lot-specific COA, so your receiving team has the documentation in hand on arrival.
