Effects of mechanical activation on the structure of talc

Abstract

This paper presents the results of research on mechanical activation of raw talc in planetary mill. Raw talc was mechanically activated in a planetary mill for five different grinding times as 15 min, 30 min, 45 min, 60 min, 90 min. Non-activated and activated talc powders were characterized by using particle size analysis, X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Mechanical activation reduced the particles size, increased the specific area and affected the loss of structural water.