Chemical formula: CH3 (CH2) 16COOH Or C18H36O2
Stearic acid as a waxy solid substance is a chain saturated fatty acid with 18 carbons, which is notable as the most common saturated fatty acid. Stearic acid is produced by adding acid to the animal fat with water at high pressure and temperature that this process will lead to the hydrolysis of triglycerides. Stearic acid can also be obtained via the hydrogenation of some unsaturated vegetable oils. Typically stearic acid is actually a mix of stearic acid and palmitic acid.
In general, stearic acid is used in many product lines including medical (suppositories and ointments), cosmetics accessories, food additives, soaps, detergents, oil pastels, surfactants, coatings, motor oil, active accelerator, dispersing and softener agent in rubber compounds, textile auxiliary, candles making, shoes industry and metal polishing and so on.