Zinc stearate
Lubrication Performance: Zinc stearate demonstrates effective lubricating characteristics that enhance processability in various material systems.
Stability and Safety Profile: The compound maintains chemical stability under standard conditions, exhibiting low toxicity parameters and minimal environmental impact with reduced irritancy potential.
Solubility Characteristics: While insoluble in aqueous media, it displays dissolution capability in organic solvents including benzene and turpentine oil, supporting diverse application methodologies.
Thermal Properties: With a melting range of 128-130°C, the material preserves structural integrity under moderate thermal exposure, facilitating its utilization in manufacturing and processing operations.
Zinc stearate is a fine, white amorphous powder with the molecular composition Zn(C₁₇H₃₅COO)₂, corresponding to the general structural formula RCOO–Zn–OOCR, where R represents alkyl chains typical of commercial stearic acid. This combustible material has a specific gravity of 1.095, bulk density of approximately 1.095 g/cm³, autoignition temperature of 900°C, and melting transition at 130°C, exhibiting characteristically slippery texture.
Melting point | 128-130 °C (lit.) |
Boiling point | 240℃[at 101 325 Pa] |
density | 1.095g/cm3 |
vapor pressure | 0Pa at 25℃ |
Fp | 180℃ |
storage temp. | Inert atmosphere,Room Temperature |
solubility | alcohol: insoluble(lit.) |
form | Powder |
color | White |
Odor | wh. powd., faint char. odor |
Water Solubility | Insoluble |
Merck | 14,10158 |
BRN | 3919706 |
Exposure limits | ACGIH: TWA 10 mg/m3; TWA 3 mg/m3 |
Stability: | Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. |
LogP | 4.64 at 25℃ |
CAS DataBase Reference | 557-05-1(CAS DataBase Reference) |
NIST Chemistry Reference | Zinc(II) n-octadecanoate(557-05-1) |
EPA Substance Registry System | Zinc stearate (557-05-1) |
Safety Information
Hazard Codes | Xi |
Risk Statements | 37 |
Safety Statements | 22-26-36/37/39-38-24/25 |
OEB | B |
OEL | TWA: 10 mg/m3 (total) |
WGK Germany | - |
RTECS | ZH5200000 |
Autoignition Temperature | 1454 °F |
TSCA | Yes |
HS Code | 29157090 |
Hazardous Substances Data | 557-05-1(Hazardous Substances Data) |
Toxicity | LD50 oral in rat: > 10gm/kg |
The compound demonstrates negligible solubility in water, ethanol, and diethyl ether, but dissolves in heated ethanol, turpentine, benzene, and various organic solvents, along with acidic media. Thermal dissolution in organic solvents yields colloidal dispersions upon subsequent cooling. Exposure to strong mineral acids induces decomposition into stearic acid and corresponding zinc salts.
Functioning as an effective lubricant with mild hygroscopicity, the substance presents low toxicological risk with minimal irritancy and environmental impact. A practical separation method from calcium stearate utilizes their differential solubility profiles, as zinc stearate demonstrates benzene solubility while its calcium counterpart remains insoluble.
