Stearic acid, what is it?
Stearic acid is a type of saturated fatty acid found in most oils and fats, both animal and vegetable. In addition, we can find it together with other saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. It responds to the formula C18H36O2, which corresponds to the formula of the saturated monocarboxylic acid of linear chain of 18 carbon atoms. It is usually marketed in different purities depending on its origin and the process to obtain it is always accompanied by the well-known palmitic acid.
| ORIGIN | ANIMAL FAT | ANIMAL FAT & VEGETAL | |||
| ANALISYS
METHOD |
UNITS | CYPTEC AE-01 |
CYPTEC AE-03 |
CYPTEC AE-08 |
CYPTEC AE-5050 |
| ACID VALUE ISO 660 |
mg KOH/gr. | 200-210 | 200-210 | 200-210 | 204-212 |
| IODINE VALUE ISO 3961 |
gr.l/100 gr. | MAX. 1 | MAX. 3 | MAX. 8 | MAX. 1 |
| SAPONIFICATION VALUE ISO 3657 |
mg KOH/gr. | 201-211 | 201-211 | 201-211 | 205-213 |
| TITRE ISO 935 |
º centigrade | 57-61 | 56-61 | 55-61 | 54-56 |
| COLOUR LOVIBOND 5 1/4" BS684.1.14 |
Red units (R) | MAX. 0,5 | MAX. 1 | MAX. 1,5 | MAX. 0,5 |
| COLOUR LOVIBOND 5 1/4" BS684.1.14 |
Yellow units (Y) | MAX. 3 | MAX. 5 | MAX. 10 | MAX. 3 |
| UNSAPONIFIABLES ISO – 18609 |
% | MAX. 2 | MAX. 3 | MAX. 3 | MAX. 0,5 |
| GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY | ISO 5508/12966-2 |
|
MAX. 1 | MAX. 1 | MAX. 2 | MAX. 1 | |||
|
2-6 | MAX. 6 | MAX. 6 | MAX. 3 | |||
|
MAX. 1 | MAX. 1 | MAX. 1 | MAX. 0,5 | |||
|
26-35 | 24-35 | 22-37 | 42-55 | |||
|
MAX. 2 | MAX. 2 | MAX. 3 | MAX. 1 | |||
|
58-68 | 56-68 | 55-70 | 43-56 | |||
|
MAX. 1 | MAX. 3 | MAX. 8 | MAX. 1 | |||
|
– | – | MAX. 1 | – | |||
|
MAX. 1,5 | MAX. 2 | MAX. 2 | MAX. 1 |
Where is stearic acid found?
Stearic acid can be from plant or animal origin. Depending on the use we are going to give it, we will need or specify one origin or another.
Vegetable stearic acid is practically obtained from the hydrolysis of palm oil (or its fractions such as stearin or olein), followed by its hydrogenation and subsequent distillation.
Animal-type stearic acid, on the other hand, is obtained from the hydrolysis of animal fat (tallow), followed by its hydrogenation and subsequent distillation. Depending on the degree of hydrogenation (Iodine Index), different qualities of stearic acid can be obtained.
Properties and applications
This type of acid is a very solid product at room temperature, with a white tone and a slight touch of yellow. Its freezing point ranges from 55 – 65ºC depending on the stearic acid content and the degree of hydrogenation. On the other hand, it is a totally odourless acid.
The main applications of stearic acid are uses such as lubricants for plastics, auxiliary products for the textile industry, production of soaps for the cosmetics sector or detergents. They are also often used to produce waxes, esters, metal salts, hydrophobic coating agents, candles or rubber for tyres.
In turn, it has other uses in the pharmaceutical industry or even as a food additive in the production of plastic packaging for different foods.
Stearic acid is a very important type of acid in the oleochemical industry. It is a type of substance with numerous possibilities, applications and functions that achieves great satisfaction in different markets.
The growth of our industry has increased due to the demand from different sectors. It is a very efficient and profitable alternative that is opening a quite remarkable site since we are catapulting ourselves as a highly competitive force.
The sustainability and versatility of our products and services is totally guaranteed as well as their functionality and quality in order to obtain unbeatable solutions.
