Calcium Stearate
High Thermal Resistance: With a melting range of 179–180 °C, calcium stearate remains stable under elevated temperatures.
Water Insolubility: Its lack of solubility in water and most common solvents ensures durability in moist or aqueous environments.
Selective Solubility: Readily dissolves in hot organic solvents such as benzene, toluene, and turpentine, offering flexibility for different formulations.
Acid Decomposition: In the presence of strong acids, it breaks down into stearic acid and calcium salts, both of which have practical uses across industries.
Calcium stearate (calcium octadecanoate) is characterized as a fine, white crystalline substance with the molecular formula (C₁₇H₃₅COO)₂Ca and a molecular weight of 607.00 g/mol. Its physical properties include a melting point in the range of 179–180°C, beyond which it begins to decompose. In terms of solubility, the compound exhibits no solubility in water, cold ethanol, or diethyl ether. However, it demonstrates good solubility in heated aromatic solvents such as benzene and toluene, as well as in turpentine, while showing limited dissolution in hot ethanol and hot diethyl ether. The material displays hygroscopic tendencies and remains stable against lipolytic microorganisms. Chemically, exposure to strong acids leads to its breakdown into stearic acid and the corresponding calcium salt.
Calcium stearate Chemical Properties
Melting point | 147-149°C |
density | 1.08g/cm3 |
vapor pressure | 0Pa at 25℃ |
Fp | > 260 °C |
storage temp | Store at +5°C to +30°C. |
solubility | Soluble in hot pyridine, slightly soluble in oil, but insoluble in alcohol and ether. |
form | |
color | white |
PH | 7-9 (2.2 mg/l, H2O, 20°C) |
Odor | Fatty acid odor |
Water Solubility | insoluble H2O, ether, chloroform; slightly soluble hot mineral oils [MER06] |
Merck | 14,1703 |
BRN | 3919698 |
Exposure limits | ACGIH: TWA 10 mg/m3; TWA 3 mg/m3 |
Stability | Hygroscopic |
InChIKey | CJZGTCYPCWQAJB-UHFFFAOYSA-L |
LogP | 3.82-14.34 at 25℃ |
CAS DataBase Reference | 1592-23-0(CAS DataBase Reference) |
EPA Substance Registry System | Calcium stearate (1592-23-0) |
Safety Information
Hazard Codes | Xn |
Risk Statements | 20/21/22-36/37/38 |
Safety Statements | 22-24/25-36-26 |
WGK Germany | - |
RTECS | WI3000000 |
Autoignition Temperature | 460 °C DIN 51794 |
TSCA | Yes |
HS Code | 29157030 |
Hazardous Substances Data | 1592-23-0(Hazardous Substances Data) |
Toxicity | LD50 orally in Rabbit: > 10000 mg/kg |
Calcium stearate finds application across multiple industries due to its versatile properties. In the food sector, it functions as a flow aid in powdered products such as Smarties and as a surface conditioner in hard candies including Sprees. The compound also serves as a water repellent for textiles and provides lubrication in writing and drawing instruments like pencils and crayons. Within the construction materials industry, calcium stearate is employed in cement-based products for masonry units (e.g., pavers and blocks), where it reduces efflorescence formation while simultaneously imparting water resistance to the final products.
