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Talc in Plastics

Technical Bulletin 1301

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 2
BENEFITS OF TALC IN POLYPROPYLENE COMPOUNDS 3
1. STIFFNESS (E-MODULUS) 3
2. THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY 3
3. NUCLEATION 3
4. IMPACT STRENGTH 4
5. DEFLECTION TEMPERATURE 4
6. CREEP RESISTANCE 5
7. BARRIER PROPERTIES 6
8. CHEMICAL RESISTANCE 7
NEW MARKETS FOR TALC-FILLED POLYMERS 8

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 characterised as a hydrated magnesium sheet silicate with the
formula Mg3 Si4O10 (OH)2. Talc consists of a layer or sheet of brucite (Mg(OH)2) sandwiched between
two sheets of silica (SiO2) (see Figure 1).

Weak Van der Waal’s forces bond the crystal lattice of talc. Talc is usually lamellar (platy), but the aspect ratio can vary
Thus, talc undergoes cleavage very readily, is very soft and considerably. Its high aspect ratio is the most important
has a soapy feel. property for its use in plastics.

The term “talc” covers a wide range of natural products.
Impurities commonly encountered include magnesite
(magnesium carbonate), calcite, 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 a functional component in paper, paints, plastics,
rubbers, ceramics, fertilizers, animal feed, cosmetics, pharma­
ceuticals and other applications.
In plastics, it is used to stiffen thermoplastics, mainly poly-
propylene but also polyethylene and polyamide (nylon).
Main applications are automotive parts, household appli-
ances and engineering plastics.

Si

OH
Mg

Figure 1: Talc crystal structure

Technical Bulletin 1301 – Talc in Plastics 2

BENEFITS OF TALC IN POLYPROPYLENE COMPOUNDS

4000
High aspect ratio talc

Tensile modulus (MPa)

3500 Medium aspect ratio talc
1. STIFFNESS (E-MODULUS) Calcium carbonate
3000
The main reason for incorporating talc in plastics is to 2500
increase the stiffness (E-modulus). The degree of rigidity
2000
depends on the filling level, aspect ratio and fineness of
the talc (Figure 2). 1500
1000
10 20 30 40
Mineral loading (wt %)
Figure 2: Stiffness of a PP compound with high aspect ratio talc,
a mineral with medium aspect ratio, and calcium carbonate
2. THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY

Because of talc’s significantly higher thermal conductivity

(compared to the polymer), the heat introduced and 0.55
Thermal conductivity (W/m°K)
F ine medium aspect ratio talc
generated during processing is transmitted through the Medium lamellar talc
0.50
mixture more quickly (Figure 3). The heat is also transported Fine lamellar talc
out of the compound faster during cooling. 0.45
0.40
Incorporating talc in a compound increases the thermal
conductivity, resulting in faster production rates. Experi- 0.35
ence with filled polymers is that conductivity depends ­ 0.30
only on the filler content, within reasonable tolerances.
0.25
10 20 30 40
Mineral loading (wt %)
Figure 3: Thermal conductivity of PP compounded with talc

3. NUCLEATION

The crystallisation of polypropylene is promoted by small amounts of preferably fine talc, which acts
as a nucleating agent. Crystallisation starts at a higher temperature in the presence of talc, compared
to unfilled PP. The impact strength is improved (Figure 4) but this is primarily due to an increase in
the crystallisation of the PP and not the mechanical properties of the talc itself. There is also a change
in modulus (Figure 5) as a result of the change in crystallinity.
Talc
Sodium benzoate
Nucleation of PP: Impact Strength Nucleation of PP: E-modulus Ca-carbonate
45 2000
Charpy impact strength (kJ/m2)

40
Flexural modulus (N/mm2)

35 1800
30
25 1600
20
1400
15
10 1200
5
0 1000
0.5 1 1.5 2 0.5 1 1.5 2
Loading (wt %) Loading (wt %)
Figures 4 and 5: Impact and rigidity of nucleated PP

Technical Bulletin 1301 – Talc in Plastics 3

4. IMPACT STRENGTH
2000 70
Addition of mineral fillers will not generally improve impact
60

Flexural modulus (MPa)

Impact strength (kJ/m2)

strength. There are exceptions, for example the use of fine
talc in PP compounds for car bumpers. In the latter case, ­ 1900 50
5 to 10 % of fine talc is added. Impact strength decreases 40
at higher loadings (Figure 6). 1600
30

1300 20
10
1000 0
5 10 15 20
Talc loading (wt %)
Figure 6: Influence of fine talc on high impact PP

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 im-
proves the deflection temperature of polyolefins to a greater extent than talc
with a lower aspect ratio (Figure 7).

160
140
Deflection temperature (°C)

140
120
121
100 109
80 97

60
40
20
0
PP PP + 20 % PP + 20 % PP + 40 %
MEDIUM TALC I MEDIUM TALC II MEDIUM TALC II
Figure 7: Deflection temperature of compounds with medium aspect ratio talc (I), high aspect ratio talc (II) and unfilled PP

Technical Bulletin 1301 – Talc in Plastics 4

6. CREEP RESISTANCE

Substantial reduction of creep is achieved with filled poly- Information obtained from short-term tests of PP can be
mers in comparison to unfilled ones. Best results in our creep extrapolated to predict properties over a longer period of
tests were obtained with fine platy talc. Various fillers and time at a constant temperature. The conventional short-term
filler combinations reduced creep as follows: modulus is replaced in formulas by the creep modulus. The
creep modulus, which is important for expected service
High aspect ratio talc > life under load, can be calculated from creep tests. The
medium aspect ratio talc > figure below applies to a five-year period (Figure 9). Typical
blend of talc and carbonate > products where creep has to be taken into consideration
calcium carbonate > are buried plastic pipes (e. g. for sewage water).
unfilled polypropylene (Figure 8).

1.4
1.2

1
Strain (%)

0.8
0.6
PP
0.4 PP+20 % Calcium carbonate
PP+20 % Lamellar talc
0.2 PP+40 % Medium aspect
ratio talc
0 PP+30 % Lamellar talc
2 4
Time (years)

Figure 8: Creep of PP and filled polypropylene

900
800
700
Creep modulus (N/mm2)

600
500
400
300
200
100
0
PP PP + 20 % PP + 20 % PP + 20 % PP + 30 %
CALCIUM CARBONATE TALC / CARBONATE (1:2) TALC TALC

Figure 9: Creep modulus (for five years)

Technical Bulletin 1301 – Talc in Plastics 5

7. BARRIER PROPERTIES

Water vapor and oxygen transmission are important factors to control

in food packaging. They directly influence the shelf life of the food
contained inside. Talc provides the opportunity to reduce transmission
rates for water vapor (Figure 10) and oxygen (Figure 11). The lamellar
talc particles are mostly orientated in films and will constrain the
water vapor and oxygen on its way through the packaging.
Water vapor transmission g/(m2 x 24 h)

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
PPH PPH + 30 %TALC PPH + 30 %TALC PPH + 30 %
D50=3.0μ D50=2.1μ CA-CARBONATE
Figure 10: Reduced water vapor transmission in polyolefin food packaging by talc

450
Oxygen transmission cm3/(m2 x 24 h)

400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
PPH PPH + 30 %TALC PPH + 30 %TALC PPH + 30 %
D50=3.0μ D50=2.1μ CA-CARBONATE

Figure 11: Reduced oxygen transmission in polyolefin food packaging by talc

Technical Bulletin 1301 – Talc in Plastics 6

8. CHEMICAL RESISTANCE EN 1186-5:
Test methods for overall migration from plastics into
Talc is water repellent and chemically inert. This is very im- aqueous food simulants by cell.
portant for the direct contact of mineral filled packaging Simulant 3 % acetic acid
material with food-stuffs. Migration tests are done with Test conditions 10 days, 40 °C
different simulants (distilled water, 3 % acetic acid, 10 % The overall migration limit is 10 mg/dm2
ethanol and rectified olive oil).

Even with 3 % acetic acid, overall migration requirements SAMPLE OVERALL MIGRATION
can be fulfilled (< 10mg/dm2 sample). (Figure 12) mg/dm2 SAMPLE
PP homopolymer + 30 % 79 – 128
Ca-carbonate (EXH1 SP)

PP homopolymer + 30 % 0.4 – 1.0

Talc d50 = 3.0 μm

Figure 12: Overall migration of PP/Talc, simulant 3 % acetic acid

Technical Bulletin 1301 – Talc in Plastics 7

NEW MARKETS FOR TALC-FILLED POLYMERS

The automotive and domestic appliances markets are still
the dominating users of talc-filled compounds, but new
markets are being developed. 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 stiffness of polyolefins, but
also to reduce undesirable long-term properties of unfilled
polypropylene 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 markets 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 crystallisation and
better heat transfer.
These benefits make talc compounds very competitive for
food packaging, so there is considerable potential in this
application.

MONDO MINERALS B.V.

Kajuitweg 8 • 1041 AR Amsterdam • The Netherlands • E-mail: info@mondominerals.com
www.mondominerals.com
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 user’s responsibility to assess the materials suitability (including safety) for a particular purpose prior to such use.