Stearic Acid
C₁₇H₃₅COOH | CAS: 57-11-4 | HS: 29159070
Product Description
Stearic Acid is the parent fatty acid from which all stearate metallic soaps are derived — and one of the most commercially important saturated fatty acids in industrial and consumer product manufacturing. In rubber, it is the standard vulcanisation activator co-reactant with zinc oxide, forming zinc stearate in situ during rubber mixing. In candle manufacturing, it is used as an opacity and hardness additive. Triple-pressed grades (≥95% C18) are used in pharmaceuticals and premium cosmetics; rubber and industrial grades use C16/C18 blends. MITCHEM supplies multiple grades with appropriate quality documentation.
Applications by Industry
Reacts with zinc oxide during rubber mixing to form zinc stearate in situ — the actual activator of sulphur vulcanisation accelerators in natural and synthetic rubber compounds.
Primary feedstock for producing all metallic stearates (zinc, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, lithium, etc.) by saponification with corresponding metal hydroxides or oxides.
Added to paraffin wax candles to increase opacity, improve whiteness, raise the melting point, and reduce dripping in pillar and votive candle formulations.
Triple-pressed grade used as a skin-conditioning emollient in creams and lotions, and as a tablet lubricant and emulsifying wax component in pharmaceutical formulations.