Stearic Acid SA CAS 57-11-4

Tree Chem Stearic Acid CAS 57-11-4 is manufactured under controlled processes to meet the demanding requirements of multiple industries. With its superior emulsifying, thickening, and lubricating properties, it serves widely in cosmetic formulations, food processing, PVC stabilizers, rubber vulcanization, и metalworking lubricants. As a professional manufacturer and supplier, Tree Chem provides industrial, cosmetic, and food-grade Stearic Acid for customers around the world. For detailed specifications or quotations, please contact info@cntreechem.com.

Спецификация

Основная информация

Технические характеристики

Приложения

• Lubricant: One of the most important applications of stearic acid in the plastics industry is as a lubricant. Its unique molecular structure enables it to perform dual lubrication during plastic processing — providing excellent external lubrication as well as strong internal lubrication. The lubrication mechanism of stearic acid is mainly reflected in two aspects: first, it penetrates between polymer molecular chains to reduce cohesive forces and internal friction, thereby significantly lowering melt viscosity and improving flowability; second, it adheres to equipment surfaces to form a lubricating film, reducing adhesion between the melt and metal, ensuring smooth demolding and a glossy surface finish.
• Heat Stabilizer (PVC): In PVC processing, stearic acid can react with hydrogen chloride (HCl) released during degradation, thereby slowing further degradation of PVC and stabilizing its appearance and physical properties. This mechanism is crucial for PVC processing, as the polymer tends to undergo dehydrochlorination at high temperatures, leading to degradation and discoloration.
• Metal Stearates: Common metal salts of stearic acid include calcium stearate, zinc stearate, barium stearate, lead stearate, and magnesium stearate. These stearates not only provide thermal stabilization but also act as lubricants and mold release agents.
• Other Uses in the Plastics Industry: Stearic acid also serves as an antistatic agent and anti-fogging agent in various plastic applications.
• Rubber Industry: The most important use of stearic acid in the rubber industry is as a vulcanization activator. When used together with zinc oxide, it acts as an effective activator in the sulfur vulcanization of unsaturated rubbers. It also serves as a softener and plasticizer. Its long-chain fatty acid structure can insert between rubber molecular chains, weakening intermolecular forces, increasing flexibility and mobility, thereby reducing hardness and viscosity. In addition to these main functions, stearic acid also acts as a processing aid and mold release agent in rubber manufacturing. As a processing aid, it reduces compound viscosity and prevents sticking, improving milling performance and enhancing mold release during vulcanization.
• Cosmetics Industry: Stearic acid is commonly used as an emulsifier in cosmetic formulations. In creams and lotions, it helps to form stable emulsions between oil phases (such as mineral or vegetable oils) and water phases (such as moisturizers or deionized water), preventing separation. Beyond its emulsifying role, stearic acid also adjusts product texture and skin feel. It makes formulations smoother, easier to spread, and forms a thin protective film on the skin, enhancing moisturization. This sensory improvement makes stearic acid an indispensable raw material in emulsified cosmetic products. It also functions as a thickener and stabilizer; even at low concentrations, stearic acid significantly increases viscosity. It is used in various personal care products such as cleansers, skincare, and makeup formulations.
• Food Industry: Stearic acid is mainly used as a food additive with multiple functions, including emulsification, stabilization, and anti-caking. As an emulsifier, it improves texture and mouthfeel in foods such as ice cream and chocolate. As a stabilizer, it prevents fat separation and sedimentation, extending shelf life. As an anti-caking agent, it prevents powdery or granular foods from clumping, making storage and transport easier. In products such as milk powder, cocoa powder, and coffee powder, stearic acid helps maintain a loose texture and improves usability. It is also used in food packaging and preservation — when added to packaging materials, it enhances barrier properties and mechanical strength. In biodegradable packaging materials, stearic acid improves both processability and performance.
• Pharmaceutical Industry: In pharmaceuticals, stearic acid functions as an excipient with roles including lubrication, thickening, emulsification, and carrier support. As a lubricant, it plays a key role in the production of tablets and capsules. Beyond lubrication, stearic acid also serves as a carrier for sustained-release formulations, controlling drug release rates and prolonging therapeutic effects. When combined with certain lipophilic drugs, it enables extended drug release. In tablet and solid dosage formulations, stearic acid improves powder flowability, ensuring dosage accuracy and uniformity. In suppository manufacturing, it serves as a base material, providing structure and controlling drug release.
• Other Industries: In the textile industry, stearic acid is used as a lubricant, polishing agent, and softener. In the paper industry, it improves water resistance and surface strength, making paper more durable. In coatings and inks, stearic acid acts as a thickener and dispersant, improving formulation stability. In the candle and wax products industry, stearic acid is an essential raw material that increases hardness and stability, helping candles maintain their shape and burn slowly. During candle production, stearic acid is mixed with other wax materials, heated, and molded into candles of various shapes and applications.

Хранение и обработка

• Store in a cool, ventilated, and dry environment.
• Keep container sealed to prevent moisture absorption.
• Avoid heat, open flames, or contact with oxidizing substances.
• In practical formulation design, the dosage of stearic acid is typically 1–3 phr (parts per hundred rubber), but the exact amount should be adjusted according to the type of rubber, formulation composition, and processing conditions. For example, in tire compounds, the dosage is generally 2–3 phr; in general rubber products, 1–2 phr; and in latex products, it is relatively lower, usually 0.5–1 phr.
• In plastic processing, the dosage of stearic acid is usually 0.2–0.5 phr (based on 100 parts of resin). The exact amount should be determined according to the type of material and processing requirements, and is generally kept below 1%. It is important to note that excessive addition may lead to blooming, where white residues appear on the surface of the finished product, affecting its appearance. Therefore, the amount must be carefully controlled to achieve optimal lubrication without undesirable side effects.
• As a heat stabilizer, stearic acid has the advantage of good compatibility with various resins. It can be used as a lubricant and anti-sticking agent for a wide range of plastics such as PE, PP, BOPP, EVA, LDPE, PVC, and PVDC. In polyethylene and polypropylene production, stearic acid also acts as a halogen scavenger, eliminating residual catalysts that may negatively affect color and stability.
• In baked goods, stearic acid is widely used. In biscuits and pastries, it is often combined with monoglycerides at a 1:1 ratio, with an addition level of 0.1%–0.5% of the flour weight. This combination prevents fat separation and improves product uniformity. During baking, stearic acid enhances texture, elasticity, and fracture resistance, making the products less brittle. It also reduces moisture absorption, keeping baked goods firm and extending shelf life.
• In frozen desserts, stearic acid plays an equally important role. In ice cream, it is blended with sucrose esters (with an HLB value of 5–9) at 0.5%–3%, enhancing emulsification and dispersion while improving thermal stability. This combined system not only increases the melting resistance of ice cream but also improves mouthfeel and texture, resulting in a smoother, creamier product.
• In the preparation of suppositories and soft gelatin drops, stearic acid is used as a mold release agent. It forms a thin lubricating film on the surface of molds, enabling the molded products to be easily released without deformation, ensuring both product integrity and surface quality.

Уведомление об использовании

• Use protective gloves and goggles during handling.
• Avoid prolonged inhalation or contact with skin and eyes.
• Dispose of residues following environmental regulations.

Упаковка

• 25 kg kraft bag / 25 kg woven bag / 50 kg bag / 1000 kg jumbo bag
• Bulk supply available upon request