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Emollients

Stearic acid

Also known as Octadecanoic acid, n-Octadecanoic acid, Stearophanic acid

CAS 57-11-4Formula C18H36O2Molar mass 284.48 g/molEC 200-313-4
GHS signal word: Warning. Pictograms: Harmful or irritant 558 suppliers listed Drug substance
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Stearic acid chemical structure, C18H36O2, CAS 57-11-4
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Monoclinic leaflets from alcohol
Melting point
69.3 °C
Boiling point
371 °C
Density
0.9408 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Flash point
113 °C
HS code
291570
Category
Emollients
Illustrative photo, assorted laboratory chemical bottles and jars on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Stearic acid?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Octadecanoic acid is a C18 straight-chain saturated fatty acid component of many animal and vegetable lipids. As well as in the diet, it is used in hardening soaps, softening plastics and in making cosmetics, candles and plastics. It has a role as a plant metabolite, a human metabolite, a Daphnia magna metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is a long-chain fatty acid, a saturated fatty acid and a straight-chain saturated fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of an octadecanoate. It derives from a hydride of an octadecane.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
octadecanoic acid
CAS number
57-11-4 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 18639-67-3, 30399-84-9, 646-29-7
EC numbers
200-313-4, 250-178-0, 680-589-4
Molecular formula
C18H36O2
UNII
4ELV7Z65AP
MDL number
MFCD00002752
INCI name
STEARIC ACID
InChIKey
QIQXTHQIDYTFRH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C18H36O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18(19)20/h2-17H2,1H3,(H,19,20)
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O

Synonyms

  • Octadecanoic acid
  • n-Octadecanoic acid
  • Stearophanic acid
  • Stearex Beads
  • 1-Heptadecanecarboxylic acid
  • Pearl stearic
  • Cetylacetic acid
  • Industrene R
  • Octadecansaeure
  • Stearinsaeure
  • Vanicol
  • Hydrofol Acid 150
  • Century 1240
  • Glycon DP
  • Glycon TP
  • Humko Industrene R
  • Formula 300
  • Hydrofol 1895
  • Hystrene 7018
  • Hystrene 9718
  • Glycon S-80
  • Glycon S-90
  • octadecoic acid
  • Tegostearic 254
  • Tegostearic 255
Show all 39 synonyms
  • Tegostearic 272
  • Hystrene 80
  • Hydrofol acid 1655
  • Hydrofol acid 1855
  • Industrene 5016
  • Dar-chem 14
  • Emersol 120
  • Emersol 132
  • Hystrene 4516
  • Hystrene 5016
  • Groco 54
  • Groco 55
  • Groco 55L
  • Groco 58

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Monoclinic leaflets from alcoholexp.
Odour
Slight odor suggesting tallowexp.
Taste
Taste suggesting tallowexp.
Melting point
69.3 °Cexp.
Boiling point
371 °Cexp.
Density
0.9408 g/cm³ at 20 °Cexp.
Flash point
113 °Cexp.
Autoignition temperature
395 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 0.568 mg/L at 25 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
1 mm Hg at 173.1 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
284.48 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
284.2715 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
6.33calc.
Topological polar surface area
37.3 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
1calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1calc.
Rotatable bonds
16calc.
Heavy atoms
20calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.94calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (1 violation)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Warning
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant
110NFPA 704 rating

Hazard statements

  • H315Causes skin irritation.
Precautionary statements (6)
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P332 + P317If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
  • P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Stearic acid suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 558 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

558 suppliers in 62 countries

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Stearic acid price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

No published prices right now

Suppliers quote this chemical on request. Send one free request and compare quotes side by side.

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Reported uses (ppm):

Table: Reported uses (ppm): (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association) [Table#3750].

For suppositories, coating enteric pills, ointments and for coating bitter remedies. Manufacturing stearates of aluminum, zinc, and other metals, stearin soap for opodeldoc, candles, phonograph records, insulators, modeling compounds, impregnating plaster of Paris, in vanishing creams and other cosmetics.

In preparation of sodium stearate, which is the solidifying agent for the official glycerin suppositories, in enteric tablet coating, ointments, and for many other commercial products, such as toilet creams, vanishing creams, solidified alcohol, etc., (when labeled solely for external use, it is exempt from the requirement that it be prepared from edible fats and oils).

Plastics -> Typical concentration range in plastic materials -> 1%.

Industrial uses: Cleaning agent, Filler,

Read more

Soil amendments (fertilizers), Emulsifier, Intermediate, Anti-static agent, Adhesion/cohesion promoter.

Consumer uses: Processing aids not otherwise specified, Surfactant (surface active agent), Binder, Other, Lubricating agent, Polymerization promoter, Foamant, Anti-adhesive/cohesive.

Use classes: Surfactants, Safer Chemical Classes, Plastics, Cosmetics.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name STEARIC ACID(cleansing, surfactant - emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, fragrance)

Roles

  • Daphnia magna metabolite
  • Daphnia metabolite
  • algal metabolite
  • animal metabolite
  • crustacean metabolite
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • human metabolite
  • mammalian metabolite
  • metabolite
  • plant metabolite

Functional uses

  • Anti-adhesive/cohesive
  • Binder
  • Cleaning agent
  • Emulsifier
  • Humectant
  • Lubricating agent
  • Plasticizer
  • Processing aids not otherwise specified
  • Softener and conditioner
  • Surfactant (surface active agent)
  • Thickening agent
  • pH regulating agent

Cosmetic functions

  • Cleansing
  • Emulsion stabilising
  • Fragrance
  • Refatting
  • Surfactant - cleansing
  • Surfactant - emulsifying

Pharmacology

Stearic Acid is a saturated long-chain fatty acid with an 18-carbon backbone. Stearic acid is found in various animal and plant fats, and is a major component of cocoa butter and shea butter.

How it is made

Commercially it is produced by the hydrogenation of the unsaturated 18-carbon fatty acids of soybean, cottonseed or other vegetable oils. When obtained from animal fats by hydrolysis and fractional crystallization, commercial stearic acid is a mixture of solid organic acids, chiefly palmitic and stearic acids.

Read more

Commercial products containing about 90% stearic acid are produced by hydrolysis and crystallization of a completely hydrogenated vegetable oil or by fractional distillation of fatty acid mixtures obtained from tallow.

It is produced commercially from hydrolyzed tallow derived from edible sources or from hydrolyzed, completely hydrogenated vegetable oil derived from edible sources.

From high-grade tallows and yellow grease stearin by washing, hydrolysis with the Twitchell or similar reagent, boiling, distilling, cooling, and pressing, from oleic acid by hydrogenation.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels

United States

  • Safer Choice ingredient list (USA)
  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Stearic acid is traded under.

HS 2915.70Exact HS code

Palmitic acid, stearic acid, their salts and esters

World exports in 2024
$1.25B
+23.7% vs 2023, imports $1.13B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Indonesia32.2%
  2. Malaysia23.0%
  3. Singapore6.5%
Top importers
  1. United States10.7%
  2. Germany6.2%
  3. China5.9%
Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Stearic acid is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Stearic acid, based on the data on this page

What is Stearic acid?

Octadecanoic acid is a C18 straight-chain saturated fatty acid component of many animal and vegetable lipids. As well as in the diet, it is used in hardening soaps, softening plastics and in making cosmetics, candles and plastics.

What is the CAS number of Stearic acid?

The CAS registry number of Stearic acid is 57-11-4. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 18639-67-3, 30399-84-9, 646-29-7.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Stearic acid?

The molecular formula of Stearic acid is C18H36O2 and its molar mass is 284.48 g/mol.

What is Stearic acid used for?

Reported uses (ppm): Table: Reported uses (ppm): (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association) [Table#3750]. For suppositories, coating enteric pills, ointments and for coating bitter remedies.

Is Stearic acid hazardous?

Stearic acid carries the GHS signal word "Warning". Main hazards: causes skin irritation. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Stearic acid?

Stearic acid is usually classified under HS code 291570 (Palmitic acid, stearic acid, their salts and esters). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Stearic acid?

CompoundList lists 558 suppliers of Stearic acid in United States, India, China, United Kingdom and 58 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Stearic acid in India?

114 suppliers in India list Stearic acid on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Stearic acid?

Suppliers quote Stearic acid on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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