Molekula
Stearic acid
Supplying 4,500+ customers in over 80 countries
ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015 certified · Supplying laboratories and industry since 2000 · Listed pack sizes are a starting point — we manufacture, source and repack to the quantity you need
Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid derived from animal or vegetable fats, widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial lubricants for its emulsifying, thickening, and water-repellent properties. It appears as a white, flaky solid with a faint odor, soluble in organic solvents but not water. Catalogue details: CAS 57-11-4, molecular formula CH₃(CH₂)₁₆COOH, molecular weight 284.48 g/mol, and requires storage at 2–8°C. Molekula supplies stearic acid from research to bulk quantities with full documentation and ISO 9001:2015 traceability.
Example image for illustration only. Other packaging and pack sizes are available.
Pricing & pack sizes
These pack sizes aren't a limit. Molekula manufactures, sources and repacks to order — if you need 500 kg and only see 1 kg listed, . We quote from grams to multi-tonne.
Need a different size? Add the nearest pack and change the size in your basket — we price it at the same rate per unit.
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1 kg — £68.90 per pack ex VAT · £82.68 inc. VAT
Need a different quantity or pack?
Tell us how much you need and when — drums, IBCs, sacks or a one-off bulk lot. We'll manufacture or source it and come back with a price.
Prices exclude VAT/sales tax and shipping.
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | white to yellow solid |
| Melting Point | 53 - 59°C |
| Heavy metals | ≤ 10ppm |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤ 0.1% |
| Iodine value (g I2/100g) | ≤ 4.0gI2/100g |
| Stearic acid | 40 - 60% |
| Acid Value (mg KOH/g) | 194 - 212 |
| Stearic and Palmitic acid value | ≥ 90% |
Storage & handling
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature | 2 to 8 °C |
| Flash Point | 200 °C |
| Acidity | Acid |
Literature values
Published physical properties of the substance, not batch specifications.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorless, wax-like solid |
| Odour | Slight odor suggesting tallow |
| Melting Point | 68.8 °C |
| Boiling Point | 383 °C |
| Density | 0.94-0.83 (relative, water = 1) |
| Water Solubility | 0.568 mg/L at 25 °C |
| Solubility (other solvents) | Slightly soluble in ethanol, benzene; soluble in acetone, chloroform, carbon disulfide |
| Vapour Pressure | 133 Pa at 174 °C |
| Refractive Index | 1.4299 |
| log P (octanol/water) | 8.23 |
Source: PubChem CID 5281 (HSDB, DrugBank, ICSC)
Identification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 26845541 |
| CAS Number | 57-11-4 |
| IUPAC Name | octadecanoic acid |
| EC Number | 200-313-4 |
| Molecular Formula | CH3(CH2)16COOH |
| Molecular Weight | 284.48 |
| Exact Mass | 284.2715 |
| SMILES | CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O |
| 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) |
| PubChem CID | 5281 |
| REACH Code | Y113 |
| TSCA Listed | Yes |
| HTS Code | 29157001 |
| Tariff Code | 2915705090 |
Safety & GHS
Precautionary statements
- P264 Wash thoroughly after handling
- P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
Documents
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish.
Certificate of Analysis (CoA) by batch
Enter a lot or batch number to retrieve the CoA for that specific batch. We can generate one from spec data if no PDF is on file.
Synonyms
- 1-Heptadecanecarboxylic acid
- Cetylacetic acid
- Industrene R
- n-Octadecanoic acid
- Octadecanoic acid
- Octadecansaeure
- Pearl stearic
- Stearex Beads
- Stearinsaeure
- Stearophanic acid
Frequently asked questions
What is stearic acid commonly used for?
Stearic acid is widely used in cosmetics (soaps, lotions), plastics (lubricant/stabilizer), candles, and food (emulsifier/release agent) due to its emulsifying and thickening properties.
What is the chemical formula and molecular weight of stearic acid?
The formula is **CH₃(CH₂)₁₆COOH** and the molecular weight is **284.48 g/mol**.
How should stearic acid be stored?
Store stearic acid at **2–8°C** in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture to prevent degradation.
What grades of stearic acid does Molekula supply?
Molekula supplies **pharmaceutical-grade, cosmetic-grade, and technical-grade** stearic acid, depending on your application requirements.
Can Molekula supply stearic acid in bulk quantities?
Yes, we offer stearic acid in bulk (e.g., 25 kg drums, 50 kg bags, or custom packaging) for industrial and large-scale applications.
What documentation comes with a stearic acid order?
Each order includes a **Certificate of Analysis (CoA), Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), and batch-specific documentation** for traceability.
Ready to order or need a custom pack?
Tell us the product, grade, and quantity — Molekula usually responds within one working day with pricing and lead time.