What is stearic acid?

Stearic acid, scientific name octadecanoic acid, also known as octadecanoic acid or octadecanoic acid, is a saturated fatty acid containing 18 carbon atoms. Its molecular formula is C18H36O2, produced by oil hydrolysis, and is a major component of animal and vegetable oils. Pure stearic acid is a white, slightly shiny waxy flake crystal with good solubility. Each gram can be dissolved in 21ml ethanol, 5ml benzene, 2ml chloroform or 6ml carbon tetrachloride. Stearic acid has excellent moisturizing and anti-aging raw materials, and can be widely used in the field of cosmetic raw materials. It can also be used as an emulsifier and other food additives in the food industry.

What are the effects of stearic acid?

1. Moisturizing raw materials: Stearic acid can form a protective film in skin care products or external ointments, effectively preventing the loss of moisture from the skin and playing a moisturizing and skin-moisturizing effect.
2. Anti-aging and anti-wrinkle raw materials: Stearic acid also has a certain antioxidant effect, which can prevent the formation of skin wrinkles, thereby delaying the speed of skin aging.
3. Antibacterial ingredients: Skin ointment made of stearic acid can be applied to the skin to play an anti-inflammatory and bactericidal role, effectively improving the redness, swelling, pain and other discomforts caused by skin infections.

What are the applications of stearic acid?

1. Cosmetics materials: Stearic acid is an emulsifier in two types of skin care products, vanishing cream and cold cream, which turns the product into a stable and white paste. At the same time, it is also the main raw material for making almond honey and milk. Stearic acid soap esters are more widely used in the cosmetics industry.
2. Plastic industry: Stearic acid is an important raw material for PVC plastic pipes, plates, profiles, and films. As a heat stabilizer, it has good lubricity and light and heat stability, which helps prevent "coking" during processing and prevents discoloration of the finished film caused by sulfides.
3. Rubber industry: Stearic acid plays an important role in the synthesis and processing of rubber. It is a widely used vulcanization activator in natural rubber, synthetic rubber and latex. It can also be used as a plasticizer and softener.
4. Other applications: Stearic acid is also used to make release agents, polishing pastes, defoaming agents, metal flotation agents, paint matting agents, wax paper polishing agents, textile waterproofing agents and other products. It is a solvent for oil-soluble pigments and a raw material for making stearic acid esters and stearates such as methyl stearate, calcium stearate, and potassium stearate.