About Stearates

Stearate Formula Diagram (C17h35coo-)

Stearates are salts or esters of stearic acid. Stearates have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, allowing them to serve as surfactants, and are frequently produced during saponification processes, in which soaps are produced by treating fats with strong bases. Most commonly, the base used is sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, which leads to the production of sodium or potassium stearates. Sodium stearate is found in many types of deodorants, rubbers, paints, and inks. Magnesium and calcium stearates are frequently used as an anti-adherent agent in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Zinc stearate is often referred to as a “zinc soap”, and has many important industrial uses.