Soapstone (lumps, blocks, plates, sticks)
CAS-Reg. No. 14807-96-6

Characteristics:

Soapstone and talc are two different mineralic apearances having the same chemical components of magnesium silicate hydrate Mg₃[(OH)₂(Si₄0₁₀)]. Soapstone has a dense granular particle structure. This property combined with others causes the following applications.

Alabaster and soapstone are the oldest stones used by artists. Together with chalk they belong to these minerals whose hardness, according to Mohs, is lower than 6. This means that it can be treated with rasps, files and sandpaper.

Soapstone or steatite is the softest stone with a specific hardness, depending on the quarries. Partially, it can be even scratched with the finger nails. It has a greasy, soapy surface and occurs in several colors: white, grey, green, yellow, red, brown and black.

It is found almost all over the world. The material for sculptures etc. comes mainly from India, Australia, Egypt, Russia, Brasil and Canada.

The substance consists chemically of aluminum- and silicium oxyde, containing softer or harder alien particles, which are rather rare and not very disturbing.

Since soapstone is easy to work with, even primitive cultures were able to employ it with a very simple technology.

Very early it was used in many ways: Red Indians in North America and people in Africa ate it; in Arabia it was used as soap and in Birma as pencils. Thanks to the resistance against heat, people produced pots, ovens and lamps out of it.

The carving of soapstone started very early, too. According to the mines in America, India and North- Africa, soapstone had its place for art works over centuries. Eskimos in Canada created great works out of soapstone. The material there is very hard and even has to be treated with an ax.

Nowadays, there are many sculptures in Crete, dating back to the Minoic times. Especially the museum of Heraclion has extraordinary vases with reliefs. This shows the importance of soapstone in former times.

Today, the above mentioned qualities are a base for the production of ovens in the form of plates.

The application as welding chalk is derived from its outstanding resistance against heat; therefore, marks remain visible.

Some samples of artwork done with soapstone and talc (click to enlarge images):

Bibliography:

• Römpps Chemie-Lexikon

Our product range:

Please contact us for more information about specific products (link: Contact and inquiries). We are looking forward to provide you with professional advise and a free quote.

It's a matter of course that we are also on your side with professional advise and offer detailed product-specific datasheets as well as further technical documentation.