The effect of Cl-2 on the phase transformations of the minerals present in a talc (Mg3Si4O10(OH)(2)) unpurified with clinochlore (Mg5Al2Si3O10(OH)(8)), magnesite (MgCO3), dolomite (MgCa(CO3)(2)), hematite (Fe2O3) and pyrite (FeS2) was studied with the purpose of deferricating the mineral and obtaining protoenstatite (MgSiO3), which is the basic component of steatite ceramics. Isothermal and non-isothermal assays in N-2 and Cl-2-N-2 atmospheres were performed using a thermogravimetric device at temperatures between 600 and 980 degrees C. The reagents and the products were analyzed by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Results obtained showed that the following phenomena were produced in Cl-2: (a) The transformation of vitreous silica (SiO2), from the chlorination reaction of talc, into enstatite (MgSiO3) started at about 700 degrees C, being dolomite the mineral that favored this reaction. At 800 degrees C, more enstatite was formed as a result of the reaction between vitreous silica not transformed, MgCl2 and O-2 derived from the chlorination of dolomite and magnesite; then, polymorphic transformation of enstatite into protoenstatite was produced. (b) At about 950 degrees C, CaCl2 produced as a result of dolomite chlorination led to the destruction of the protoenstatite structure, and to the subsequent formation of cristobalite, with release of O-2 and gaseous MgCl2. (c) The elimination of iron as FeCl3(g) takes place in all the temperature interval investigated. The most favorable chlorination temperature was 900 degrees C, since protoenstatite structure was destroyed at higher temperatures and an efficient elimination of iron present in the talc sample was not possible at lower temperatures. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.