Calcium Stearate

Brief Overview

Calcium stearate is a fine white waxy powder and can be used as a lubricant. Due to its increasing demand, calcium stearate is considered important in recent years, making it one of the most used metallic stearates for industrial application. Industry such as the plastic and rubber industry are the users of calcium stearate during the production of PVC, HDPE, PP in the plastic industry while as an anti-caking agent in rubber processing.

Manufacturing Process

Calcium stearate commercially produced by the reaction of heating stearic acid with calcium oxide:

2 C₁₇H₃₅COOH + CaO → (C₁₇H₃₅COO)2Ca + H₂O

It is also insoluble in most solvents. It dissolves only slightly when heated with aromatic compound, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and vegetable mineral oils or waxes.

Plastic Industry

- plastic additive

- waterproofing fabrics, cement, stucco, explosives; releasing agent for plastic molding powders;

Wood and Wax Industry

- lubricant in pencils and wax crayons

Food and Pharmaceutical Industry

- food grade calcium stearate is used as conditioning agent

Cosmetics and Paint Industry

- water repellant

- flatting agent