Technical Bulletin 1301

Talc in Plastics
2 Mondo Minerals B.V. Technical Bulletin 1301
Contents
Introduction
Benefits of Talc in Polypropylene
Compounds
1. Stiffness (E-Modulus)
2. Thermal Conductivity
3. Nucleation
4. Impact Strength
5. Deflection Temperature
6. Creep Resistance
7. Barrier Properties
8. Chemical Resistance
New Markets for Talc-Filled Polymers
Introduction
Pure talc, the softest of all minerals with a Mohs
hardness of 1, is an organophilic, water repellent
and chemically inert mineral. It is characterized
as a hydrated magnesium sheet silicate with the
formula Mg
3
Si
4
O
10
(OH)
2
.
Talc consists of a layer or sheet of brucite
(Mg(OH)
2
) sandwiched between two sheets of
silica (SiO
2
) (see figure 1).
Weak Van der Waals forces bond the crystal lat-
tice of talc. Thus, talc undergoes cleavage very
readily, is very soft and has a soapy feel.
The term talc covers a wide range of natural
products. Impurities commonly encountered
include magnesite (magnesium carbonate), cal-
cite, quartz and chlorite (a mix of Mg- Al- and
Fe- silicate / Mg(OH)
2
). Among the different
modifications of talc, mostly pure and lamellar
talc grades are used in the plastic industry.
Talc is usually lamellar (platy), but the aspect
ratio can vary considerably. Its high aspect ratio
is the most important property for its use in
plastics.
Talc is a functional component in paper, paints,
plastics, rubbers, ceramics, fertilizers, animal
feed, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other
applications.
In plastics, it is used to stiffen thermoplastics,
mainly polypropylene but also polyethylene and
polyamide (nylon). Main applications are auto-
motive parts, household appliances and engi-
neering plastics.
Figure 1:
Talc crystal structure
Si
O
OH
Mg
Mondo Minerals B.V. Technical Bulletin 1301 3
Figure 1:
Stiffness of a PP
compound with high
aspect ratio talc,
a mineral with
medium aspect ratio,
and calcium
carbonate
Figure 2:
Thermal conductivity
of PP/talc
T
e
n
s
i
l
e

m
o
d
u
l
u
s

(
M
P
a
)
T
h
e
r
m
a
l

c
o
n
d
u
c
t
i
v
i
t
y

(
W
/
m

K
)
Stiffness and Aspect Ratio
High aspect ratio talc
Medium aspect ratio talc
Calcium carbonate
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
0 10 20 30 40
Mineral loading (wt%)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Thermal Conductivity of PP Compounded with Talc
0,55
0,50
0,45
0,40
0,35
0,30
0,25
Fine medium aspect ratio talc
Medium lamellar talc
Fine lamellar talc
Mineral loading (wt%)
2. Thermal Conductivity
Because of talcs significantly higher thermal con-
ductivity (compared to the polymer), the heat
introduced and generated during processing is
transmitted through the mixture more quickly
(Figure 2). The heat is also transported out of the
compound faster during cooling.
Incorporating talc in a compound increases the
thermal conductivity, resulting in faster produc-
tion rates. Experience with filled polymers is that
conductivity depends only on the filler content,
within reasonable tolerances.
Benefits of Talc in Polypropylene Compounds
1. Stiffness (E-Modulus)
The main reason for incorporating talc in plastics
is to increase the stiffness (E-modulus).
The degree of rigidity depends on the filling level,
aspect ratio and fineness of the talc (Figure 1).
4 Mondo Minerals B.V. Technical Bulletin 1301
3. Nucleation
The crystallization of polypropylene is promoted
by small amounts of preferably fine talc, which
acts as a nucleating agent. Crystallization starts
at a higher temperature in the presence of talc,
compared to unfilled PP. The impact strength
is improved (Graph 3) but this is primarily due to
an increase in the crystallization of the PP and
not the mechanical properties of the talc itself.
There is also a change in modulus (Figure 4) as a
result of the change in crystallinity.
Figure 5:
Influence of
fine talc on
high impact PP
Figures 3 and 4:
Impact and rigidity
of nucleated PP
Talc
Sodium benzoate
Ca-carbonate
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Nucleation of PP: Impact Strength
Impact Strength and Rigidity
of Talc/PP compounds
C
h
a
r
p
y

I
m
p
a
c
t

S
t
r
e
n
g
t
h

(
k
J
/
m
2
)
Loading (wt%)
Talc loading (wt%)
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Talc
Sodium benzoate
Ca-carbonate
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Nucleation of PP: E-modulus
F
l
e
x
u
r
a
l

M
o
d
u
l
u
s

(
N
/
m
m
2
)
Loading (wt%)
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
2000
1900
1600
1300
1000
F
l
e
x
u
r
a
l

M
o
d
u
l
u
s

(
M
P
a
)
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
I
m
p
a
c
t

S
t
r
e
n
g
t
h

(
k
J
/
m
2
)
0 5 10 15 20
4. Impact Strength
Addition of mineral fillers will not generally
improve impact strength. There are exceptions,
for example the use of fine talc in PP com-
pounds for car bumpers.
In the latter case, 5 to 10% of fine talc is
added. Impact strength decreases at higher
loadings (Figure 5).
5. Deflection Temperature
In many applications such as in plastic parts for
cars or packaging, rigidity is required at elevated
temperatures.
The heat distortion temperature (HDT) can be
used to demonstrate how a mineral influences
the stiffness of a plastic compound at elevated
temperatures. Lamellar talc with high aspect
ratio improves the deflection temperature of
polyolefins to a greater extent than talc with a
lower aspect ratio (Figure 6).
Mondo Minerals B.V. Technical Bulletin 1301 5
Figure 6:
Deflection tempera-
ture of compounds
with medium aspect
ratio talc (I), high
aspect ratio talc (II)
and unfilled PP
Figure 7:
Creep of PP
and filled
polypropylene
Impact Strength and Rigidity of Talc/PP Compounds
Long-term Creep of PP and PP Compounds with Talc and Calcium Carbonate
PP
PP+20% Calcium
carbonate
PP+20% Lamellar
talc
PP+40% Medium
aspect ratio talc
PP+30% Lamellar
talc
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
PP
0 2 4
97
109
121
140
PP + 20%
medium talc I
PP + 20%
medium talc II
PP + 40%
medium talc II
S
t
r
a
i
n

(
%
)
Time (years)
D
e
f
l
e
c
t
i
o
n

T
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
e

(

C
)
6. Creep Resistance
Substantial reduction of creep is achieved with
filled polymers in comparison to unfilled ones.
Best results in our creep tests were obtained with
fine platy talc. Various fillers and filler combina-
tions reduced creep as follows:
High aspect ratio talc >
medium aspect ratio talc >
blend of talc and carbonate >
calcium carbonate >
unfilled polypropylene (Figure 7).
6 Mondo Minerals B.V. Technical Bulletin 1301
Information obtained from short-term tests of PP
can be extrapolated to predict properties over a
longer period of time at a constant temperature
The conventional short-term modulus is replaced
in formulas by the creep modulus. The creep
modulus, which is important for expected
service life under load, can be calculated from
creep tests. The figure below applies to a five-
year period (Figure 8).
Typical products where creep has to be taken
into consideration are buried plastic pipes (e. g.
for sewage water).
Figure 9:
Water vapor
transmission rate
Creep Modulus of PP and PP Compounds
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
PP + 20%
Calcium
Carbonate
PP PP + 20%
Talc/
Carbonate (1:2)
PP + 20%
Talc
PP + 30%
Talc
Figure 8:
Creep modulus
(for five years)
C
r
e
e
p

M
o
d
u
l
u
s

(
N
/
m
m
2
)
Water Vapor Transmission Rate
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
PPH + 30%talc
d50=3.0
PPH PPH + 30%talc
d50=2.1
PPH + 30%
Ca-carbonate
W
a
t
e
r

v
a
p
o
r

t
r
a
n
s
m
i
s
s
i
o
n

g
/
(
m
2
x
2
4
h
)
7. Barrier Properties
Water vapor and oxygen transmission are impor-
tant factors to control in food packaging. They
directly influence the shelf life of the food con-
tained inside. Talc provides the opportunity to
reduce transmission rates for water vapor
(Figure 9) and oxygen (Figure 10). The lamellar
talc particles are mostly orientated in films and
will constrain the water vapor and oxygen on its
way through the packaging.
Reduced water vapour transmission in polyolefin food packaging by talc
Mondo Minerals B.V. Technical Bulletin 1301 7
8. Chemical Resistance
Talc is water repellent and chemically inert. This
is very important for the direct contact of mine-
ral filled packaging material with food-stuffs.
Migration tests are done with different simulants
(distilled water, 3% acetic acid, 10% ethanol
and rectified olive oil).
Even with 3% acetic acid, overall migration
requirements can be fulfilled (< 10mg/dm
2
sample). (Figure 11)
New Markets for Talc-Filled Polymers
The automotive and domestic appliances mar-
kets are still the dominating users of talc-filled
compounds, but new markets are being develo-
ped. Their growth depends partly on the extent
to which end-users actively seek alternative
materials to PVC and PS. Markets of interest
here include profiles, pipes and food packaging.
In replacement of PVC for plastic pipes, there is
a need to compensate for the lower ring stiff-
ness of polyolefins, but also to reduce undesira-
ble long-term properties of unfilled polypropyle-
ne and polyethylene, such as their tendency to
creep (deform under long-term strain). Talc is the
preferred additive in this application, as it
imparts high stiffness, which allows a reduction
in wall thickness. Impact resistance at sub-zero
temperatures is unimpaired.
Talc-filled polypropylene is also finding new mar-
kets in food packaging applications. Migration
requirements according to EN 1186-5 can be
met, and higher rigidity and barrier properties
(e.g. reduction of oxygen permeability) are
imparted. Talc improves output in extrusion and
shortens cycle times in thermoforming, due to
crystallization and better heat transfer.
These benefits make talc compounds very com-
petitive for food packaging, so there is consider-
able potential in this application.
Figure 11:
Overall migration
of PP/Talc, simulant
3% acetic acid
Figure 10:
Oxygen
transmission rate
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
PPH PPH + 30%talc
d50=2.1
PPH + 30%
Ca-carbonate
O
x
y
g
e
n

t
r
a
n
s
m
i
s
s
i
o
n

c
m
3
/
(
m
2
x
2
4
h
)
EN 1186-5:
Test methods for overall migration from
plastics into aqueous food simulants by cell.
Simulant 3% acetic acid
Test conditions 10 days, 40C
The overall migration limit is 10 mg/dm2
PP homopolymer +30%
Ca-carbonate (EXH1 SP) 79 128
PP homopolymer +30%
Talc d50 = 3.0 m 0.4 1.0
Sample Overall migration
mg/dm
2
sample
Oxygen Transmission Rate
PPH + 30%talc
d50=3.0
Reduced oxygen transmission in polyolefin food packaging by talc
WE TALK TALC
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The information contained in this Technical Bulletin relates only to the specific tests designated herein and does not relate to the use of our products in combination with any other material or
in any process. The information provided herein is based on technical data that Mondo Minerals believes to be reliable, however Mondo Minerals makes no representation or warranty as to the
completeness or accuracy thereof and Mondo Minerals assumes no liability resulting from its use for any claims, losses, or damages of any third party. Recipients using this information must
exercise their own judgement as to the appropriateness of its use, and it is the users responsibility to assess the materials suitability (including safety) for a particular purpose prior to such use.