Relating talc flotation with particle morphology using an XRD-derived morphology index

Abstract

Although platy morphology is widely recognised as a major contributor to the natural flotability of talc, a quantitative link between morphology and flotation performance has not yet been established. This study addresses that gap by evaluating the association between talc flotation behaviour and a morphology index (MI) derived from X-ray diffraction (XRD), using talc samples from India, Brazil, Australia, and Egypt. The MI values were calculated from the relative intensities of the (004) and (020) reflections, and the trends correlated with qualitative scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations of platy and blocky morphologies. Flotation kinetics were analysed using the Klimpel first-o..