Soap Stone
Soapstone is a talc-schist, which is a type of metamorphic rock. It is composed largely of the magnesium rich mineral talc. Soapstone is relatively soft because of its high talc content, talc having hardness of 1 on the Mohs scale. Soapstone has some unique properties like heat resistance, heat retention, Acid Resistance, Absorption Resistance and Non-Porosity. Talc in pulverised form, is mostly used as a filler in paper, textile, rubber, insecticides and fertilizer industries. Pure talc after calcining, called 'Lava', is used in the manufacture of low-loss ceramic materials essential for radio, radar, television, etc.
In roofing products, such as, tar, paper, asphalt shingles and roll roofing, talc acts as a fire retardant and increases weather resistance. Body and face powders (talcum powder) are prepared from the finest quality talc after adding deodorant and perfumes.