Stearic acid, also known as octadecanoic acid, with the molecular formula CH3(CH2)16COOH, is produced by the hydrolysis of fats and oils and is primarily used in the production of stearates. It is soluble in 21 ml of ethanol, 5 ml of benzene, 2 ml of chloroform, or 6 ml of carbon tetrachloride per gram.

Chinese name: Stearic acid

Other names: Octadecanoic acid

Chemical formula: CH3(CH2)16COOH

Molecular weight: 284.48

Applications: Production of stearates; Production method: Hydrolysis of fats and oils

Physical properties

Appearance: Pure product is white, slightly glossy, waxy small flake crystals.

Melting point: 56°C - 69.6°C

Boiling point: 232°C (2.0 kPa)

Flash point: 220.6°C

Autoignition temperature: 444.3°C

Relative density: 0.9408

Complex refractive index: 1.4299 + 0.3234i

Complex dielectric constant: 35.6 + 1.3i

Stability: Decomposes at 360°C (other sources state 376.1°C)

1. Pure product is white, soft, glossy small flakes.

2. Slightly soluble in cold water, soluble in alcohol and acetone, easily soluble in benzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, carbon disulfide, amyl acetate, toluene, etc. Non-toxic.

3. Found in flue-cured tobacco leaves, burley tobacco leaves, oriental tobacco leaves, and tobacco smoke.

4. It is the fatty acid that makes up stearin.

Uses

Primarily used in the production of stearates: sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, lead stearate, aluminum stearate, cadmium stearate, iron stearate, potassium stearate.

Widely used in the manufacture of cosmetics, cold-resistant plasticizers for plastics, release agents, stabilizers, surfactants, rubber vulcanization accelerators, waterproofing agents, polishing agents, metal soaps, flotation agents for metal minerals, softeners, pharmaceuticals, and other organic chemicals.

Additionally, it is used as a solvent for oil-soluble pigments, a smoothing agent for crayons, a polishing agent for wax paper, an emulsifier for glycerol stearate, etc.

In the food industry, it is used as a lubricant, antifoaming agent, and as a raw material for food additives such as glycerol stearate, sorbitan stearate, sucrose esters, etc. It is also used as a raw material for auxiliaries and daily chemical products.

Stearic acid is widely used in the manufacturing of PVC plastic pipes, sheets, profiles, and films. It acts as a PVC heat stabilizer, providing excellent lubricity and good light and heat stability. In PVC pipes, stearic acid helps prevent "scorching" during processing. In PVC film processing, its addition serves as an effective heat stabilizer and also protects against discoloration of the finished film when exposed to sulfides.