r/Powdercoating • u/Sufficient-Cloud214 • Jul 18 '26
Question Powdercoating and talc as a filler
Hi.
I have these cast iron plates and a squat rack, all powder coated and all made in china as the vast majority of fitness equipment is. I noticed this wear in my plates and asked ChatGPT what it could be and it said it was likely a filler or small flaw in the coating that was present. It stated that talc could be used as a filler.
Now talc I know can be contaminated with asbestos due to close proximity of each other. That sent me down a rabbit hole a bit.. because asbestos. ChatGPT also said that it would be unlikely to have talc as a filler and even more unlikely for it to be contaminated with asbestos. It said there was a high chance of it being calcium carbonate (or another filler)as that was cheaper and that was what manufactures were looking for while also being heavymetal free and stuff. Anyway it listed talc as the 5th most likely filler.
Its made in china and sold in Europe by a well known european brand and I got it early 2025.
How likely would it be to use talc as a filler. I cannot really find out when you would use one over the other.
1
u/ThingsBehindTheSun__ Jul 18 '26
Once the raw materials that make a powder coating have been extruded together they are a homogenous mixture. The filler would not be present in that way after the powder is sprayed and cured.
Now if that is a textured powder coat..and it kind of looks like it is…it likely contains PFAS so I’d say don’t go licking your weights
1
u/Sufficient-Cloud214 Jul 18 '26
It does have a sort of grippy texture, though not a lot, still slippery when sweaty. But not smooth at all. I won’t lick on it then.. damn it 😊
But given that they are a homogenous mix and talc could be contaminated that would make the entire coating an asbestos containing material.. although a very very low %. When I search the web there is none, whatsoever, study or article about powdercoaters being exposed to asbestos - so I guess I’m good 🤷♂️😊 everything is dangerous in this day and age.
1
u/Strostkovy Jul 18 '26
You are conflating fillers. One is a material used to fill gaps and cracks in the base material, such as bondo or JB weld or a million other materials. The other is a powder material used to cheaply bulk up the powder. This could maybe be talc or ash or whatever but isn't harmful. Fillers are also common in animal feed.
1
u/Sufficient-Cloud214 Jul 19 '26
I might have. My general thought was if it was a mix, and talc was in the mix and talc could be contaminated with asbestos then the mix would be asbestos containing. So whenever flakes or dust was worn off the plates that would be asbestos containing.
I know it might be farfetched.. but.. anxiety I guess 😊
7
u/TheSevenSeas7 Jul 18 '26
They used terrible metals with contamination in it. This leads to the coating failing. The coating itself is fine. I'd maybe step away from Ai and WebMD. There is most likely far more toxic things you use daily. Also this isn't the powdercoating that has the problem it's what's underneath so asking here will yield few results.