Plainsman Clays | TASI
Silverline Talc
Talc is a hydrated magnesium silicate, and the softest mineral on the Mohs hardness scale. It is the main flux in many low fire white bodies, and in a glaze it is one of the main ways magnesia is added.
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Talc can be used to increase a clay bodies thermal expansion to help with glaze fit. It also raises the body's thermal expansion, which keeps a low fire glaze in compression and can aid against crazing. In a stoneware glaze it does the opposite job, supplying magnesia to the glass. That lowers expansion, mattes the surface to something smooth and silky, and pulls colours towards pastels, with cobalt firing lavender instead of blue.
- Hydrated magnesium silicate, rated 1 on the Mohs scale, the softest mineral
- The main flux in many low fire white bodies
- Raises a low fire body's thermal expansion post firing, which aids in glaze fit
- A magnesia source in a stoneware glaze, for silky mattes and pastel colour
- It is extremely refractory
- In small amounts at high temperatures it can aid in fluxing
