Stearates are Fatty Acid Esters that are Widely Used as Additives Because of Their Lubricating Properties
Stearates Stearates are stearic acid salts or esters. Stearic acid have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, allowing them to act as surfactants. They are frequently produced during saponification processes, which involve treating fats with strong bases to produce soap. The most common base is sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, which results in the formation of sodium or potassium stearic acid. Many deodorants, rubbers, paints, and inks contain sodium stearate. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, magnesium and calcium stearic acid are frequently used as anti-adherent agents. Zinc stearic acid, also known as "zinc soap," has a wide range of industrial applications. The simplest amphiphile molecules are sodium or potassium Stearates CH3-(CH2)14-COO- molecules, which are found in ordinary soap. In water, these molecules take the shape of micelles, which are roughly spheres with hydrophilic parts made of carboxylate ions with loosely bound cations all at the outer part ...