Talc is a monoclinic mineral with a sheet structure similar to the micas. Talc has perfect cleavage that follows planes between the weakly bonded sheets. These sheets are held together only by van der Waals bonds, which allows them to slip past one another easily. This characteristic is responsible for talc's extreme softness, its greasy, soapy feel, and its value as a high-temperature lubricant. Applications: Talc is used as a filler in coatings, Pigment, dusting agent and extender in plastics, ceramics, paint, paper, cosmetics, rubber and many other products.
