Inhomogeneous Dehydroxylation of Talc

Dehydroxylation and enstatite development during the decomposition of talc were investigated by transmission electron microscopy using in situ heating. Bubbles and voids are produced during dehydroxylation, and enstatite then precipitates near the voids. Evidence of preferential bubble nucleation at dislocations was obtained. Enstatite crystallites of random orientation were observed initially but on further heating the product phase was formed topotactically.