Influence of talc on the properties of polycarboxylate cement

Zinc oxide, the inorganic component of polycarboxylate cement, was mixed with talc in various proportions from 10% to 50%. These powder mixtures were spatulated with poly(acrylic acid) in three powder to liquid (P/L) ratios of 1:1, 1.5:1 and 2:1 (w/w). Properties such as setting time and compressive and diametral tensile strengths of the resultant cements were determined. It was observed that the setting time of the resultant cements increased with increasing talc content. The compressive and diametral tensile strengths also increased by approximately 54% with a 10% concentration of talc.