Zinc Stearate

Zinc Stearate. Zinc Stearate is a zinc soap known for repelling water and is used in the cosmetics and personal care industries as a lubricant. It is an insoluble salt made of commercial stearic acid, a mild fatty acid used as an emollient and lubricant, and is often combined with zinc oxide.

Zinc stearate is a â??zinc soapâ?? that is widely used industrially. In this context, soap is used in its formal sense, a metal salt of fatty acid: in this case stearic acid. It is a white solid that repels water. It is insoluble in polar solvents such as alcohol and ether but soluble in aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., benzene) and chlorinated hydrocarbons when heated. It is the most powerful mold release agent among all metal soaps. It contains no electrolytes and has a hydrophobic effect. Its main application areas are the plastics and rubber industry, where it is used as a releasing agent and lubricant which can be easily incorporated.

Zinc Stearate is formed by combining Stearic Acid & Zinc Oxide, the latter of which is an organic white powder compound with a slight characteristic odor. It is insoluble in water, ethyl alcohol & diethyl ether & soluble in acids.

In comparison to other metallic stearate, zinc stearate has a low melting point (120 degree C), so it spreads very evenly when heated.

Uses and Application of Zinc Stearate-

Act as an anti-caking Agent in powdered cosmetics.
Act as a lubricant & thickening Agent used to improve texture..
Zinc Stearate is used in plastics and rubber industries, where it is used as a lubricant & release or powdering agent.
It functions as an acid scavenger & processes acid in certain Polyolefin applications.
It serves as a lubricant acid in sanding sealers and as a flattening agent in paints and coatings.
In construction, it is utilized as hydrophobic agents for plasters.
In pharmaceuticals & nutraceuticals, it facilitates mould release for tabulating.