Parchem: Leading Supplier of Zinc Stearate

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Zinc stearate [CAS: 557-05-1] is a member of the family of “zinc soaps,” a collection of zinc-based fatty acid salts that are widely used in industrial applications.  Zinc stearate is used industrially as a release agent in the production of certain types of rubber and polyurethane foams.  It is also used as a mold release agent in certain industrial processes.

Zinc stearate is a soft white powder with a dry, slippery texture; it is also known as zinc distearate and zinc octadecanoate.  Zinc stearate is highly water-repellant because the polar atoms (Zinc and Oxygen) are collected at the core of the molecule while the long carbon chains (which are oily in nature) extend outward from the center.  This characteristic makes zinc stearate insoluble in polar solvents such as alcohol and ether, but it is soluble in heated organic and aromatic solvents such as benzene and toluene.

Applications for zinc stearate vary widely across the industrial spectrum, but a majority of its applications center around its physical properties as a dry hydrophobic powder.  Zinc stearate is used as a dry lubricant in certain applications such as the production of rubber, latex, polyurethane, and polyesters. It is also used in the rubber vulcanization process in conjunction with sulfur and other accelerators.  

While zinc stearate is used mostly for industrial applications, it is also sometimes used in cosmetics and personal care products.  Zinc stearate is included in certain makeups and powdered cosmetics for its hydrophobic (water-repellant) properties.

Parchem – fine & specialty chemicals has been supplying high quality chemicals and raw materials such as zinc stearate to industrial and personal care markets for over 20 years.  We have a proven reputation for excellence built upon years of commitment to customer satisfaction and continual improvement.  As an industry-leading chemical distributor, we offer the services of expert sales and customer service teams paired with full-service global logistics and strategic warehousing options across the US.  We pride ourselves on being proactive resourcing specialists who have built a worldwide reputation as a vital link in the supply chain.  More businesses choose Parchem because we excel at sourcing difficult-to-find materials and providing them to our customers accurately, on time, and on budget.

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