Stearic acid
Chemical Name: Stearic Acid (Octadecanoic Acid)
CAS Registry Number: 57-11-4
EC Number: 200-313-4
Chemical Formula: C₁₈H₃₆O₂
Molecular Weight: 284.48 g/mol
HS Code: 29157020
Synonyms: ACIDUM STEARICUM 50, CETYLACETIC ACID, FEMA 3035
Appearance: White powder / white waxy solid with a subtle mild fatty odor
Industrial Grade Purity: ≥99%
Sample Supply: Free samples available for quality testing
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): 1 FCL (Full Container Load)
Natural Origin
Stearic acid is a major saturated long-chain fatty acid widely distributed in natural animal fats and vegetable oils, bound in the form of triglyceride glycerides. Industrial-grade stearic acid is produced through the hydrolysis of natural oil and fat raw materials. It exists in varying concentrations across different lipid sources: animal fats contain higher proportions, with butter reaching 24%; vegetable oils carry lower levels, including 0.8% in tea oil and 6% in palm oil, while cocoa butter features an exceptionally high stearic acid content of 34%. As a naturally ubiquitous fatty acid, it exhibits standard carboxylic acid chemical reactivity under regular conditions.
Physicochemical Parameters
- Melting Point: 69–70°C
- Boiling Point: 361°C (760 mmHg)
- Relative Density: 0.940 at 20°C
- Vapor Pressure: <0.1 mmHg at 25°C
- Flash Point: 196°C
- Solubility: Completely insoluble in water; freely soluble in ethanol, diethyl ether, benzene, chloroform and other conventional organic solvents
- Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and ambient temperature; chemically incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and strong bases, which may trigger side reactions
- Recommended Storage Condition: Store in dry, cool and ventilated warehouse, sealed away from direct sunlight
Chemical Properties
| Item | Value |
| Melting point | 67-72 °C (lit.) |
| Boiling point | 361 °C (lit.) |
| bulk density | 400-500 kg/m3 |
| density | 0.845 g/cm3 |
| vapor pressure | 1 mm Hg (173.7 °C) |
| refractive index | 1.4299 |
| FEMA | 3035 STEARIC ACID |
| Fp | >230 °F |
| storage temp. | Store below +30°C. |
| solubility | Practically insoluble in water, soluble in ethanol (96 per cent) and light petroleum (bp: 50-70 °C). |
| pka | pKa 5.75±0.00 (H2O t=35) (Uncertain) |
| form | powder |
| color | White |
| Specific Gravity | 0.84 (80℃) |
| Odor | odorless mild fatty |
| Odor Type | odorless |
| biological source | palm oil |
| Water Solubility | 0.1-1 g/100 mL at 23 ºC |
| Merck | 14,8804 |
| JECFA Number | 116 |
| BRN | 608585 |
| Dielectric constant | 2.3（22℃） |
| Exposure limits | ACGIH: TWA 10 mg/m3; TWA 3 mg/m3 |
| Cosmetics Ingredients Functions | EMULSION STABILISING SURFACTANT – CLEANSING REFATTING CLEANSING SURFACTANT – EMULSIFYING FRAGRANCE |
| InChIKey | QIQXTHQIDYTFRH-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| LogP | 8.22 |
| CAS DataBase Reference | 57-11-4(CAS DataBase Reference) |
| NIST Chemistry Reference | Octadecanoic acid(57-11-4) |
| EPA Substance Registry System | Stearic acid (57-11-4) |
Safety Information
| Item | Value |
| Hazard Codes | Xi,F |
| Risk Statements | 38-36/37/38-11 |
| Safety Statements | 37/39-26-16 |
| WGK Germany | 3 |
| RTECS | WI2800000 |
| Autoignition Temperature | 395 °C |
| TSCA | Yes |
| HS Code | 38231100 |
| Hazardous Substances Data | 57-11-4(Hazardous Substances Data) |
| Toxicity | LD50 i.v. in mice, rats: 23±0.7, 21.5±1.8 mg/kg, L. Or, A. Wretlind, Acta Pharmacol. Toxicol. 18, 141 (1961) |
Product Application
Comprehensive Industrial Application Fields
Stearic acid is a multi-functional auxiliary raw material applied across dozens of manufacturing sectors, with clear functional effects in each downstream industry:
Rubber Industry
Acts as a curing activator for natural rubber, all synthetic rubbers except butyl rubber, and latex products; improves vulcanization efficiency and enhances the mechanical performance of finished rubber goods.
Plastic & PVC Processing Industry
- Functions as plasticizer, internal/external lubricant, heat stabilizer and mold release agent for plastic products;
- Widely added into PVC pipes, sheets, profiles and plastic films, delivering outstanding lubricity, light resistance and thermal stability;
- Effectively prevents material coking during high-temperature plastic molding and avoids discoloration of plastic films under long-term light exposure.
Cosmetics & Daily Chemicals
Used as surfactant, emulsifier, thickener, softener and polishing agent in skincare creams, lotions, soap bars, craft candles and waterproof coating formulations; optimizes product texture and surface finish.
Pharmaceutical Industry
Serves as forming excipient and lubricant for medical ointments, suppositories and oral tablets, improving molding and demolding performance of pharmaceutical preparations.
Coating, Ink & Stationery Industry
- Acts as dissolving medium for oil-based paint systems and brightening agent for stencil printing ink;
- Used as lubricant raw material for crayons and ballpoint pen ink to guarantee smooth writing and uniform coloring.
Metal Processing & Mineral Separation
Raw material for manufacturing metal soaps; works as flotation agent for mineral ore separation and surface polishing agent for metal workpieces.
Food Industry
Serves as food-grade lubricant, anti-foaming agent and permitted food additive; core synthetic raw material for glyceryl stearate, sorbitan stearate, sucrose fatty acid esters and other food emulsifiers.
Fine Chemical Synthesis
Key starting material for producing various organic fine chemicals, emulsifiers and ester derivatives.
Supply & Delivery
Fast delivery time
Inventory: 2-3 working days
New production: 7-10 working days
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