What is stearic acid？2

At room temperature, stearic acid appears as a white waxy transparent solid or a slightly yellow waxy solid. Composed mainly of saturated fatty acids C16 and C18, insoluble in water, slightly soluble in cold ethanol, and easily soluble when heated. Slightly soluble in acetone and benzene, easily soluble in ether, chloroform, hot ethanol, carbon tetrachloride, and carbon disulfide. Non toxic and odorless, with general chemical properties of organic carboxylic acids.

Stearic acid is a widely present fatty acid in nature, with varying amounts found in almost all oils and fats. Its content is higher in animal fats, such as butter, which can reach up to 24%, and lower in vegetable oils, such as tea oil at 0.8% and palm oil at 6%. However, the content in cocoa butter is as high as 34%. The production methods of industrial stearic acid mainly include fractionation and pressing. Add a decomposing agent to the hardened oil, then hydrolyze it to obtain crude fatty acids, which are then washed with water, distilled, and decolorized to obtain the finished product, while producing glycerol as a byproduct.

The role and use of stearic acid in the paper industry:
1. Stearic acid is used as a thickener and stabilizer in the paper industry;
2. It is the raw material for making wax lotion. Wax lotion is coated on tracing paper to improve the quality of oil proof paper and waxed paper;
3. It can increase the waterproof, glossy, and printing adaptability of paper.