PMC Biogenix™ Metallic Stearates

PMC Biogenix manufacturers a wide variety of metallic stearate specialty additives derived from natural or renewable feedstocks. As one of the premier metallic stearates manufacturers in North America, PMC Biogenix's robust portfolio of renewable resources provide innovative solutions for various end-use applications. 
 
PMC Metallic stearates are naturally derived esters or metal salts from long-chain fatty acids used as functional additives in a broad range of consumer and industrial applications, such as the manufacturing of candles, waxes, cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, soaps, and detergents. Additionally, PMC Metallic stearates chemistry carries FDA Certifications for various food applications and contact packaging.  
 
Metallic stearates are also excellent polymer modifiers, binding agents, anti-caking, and performance additives in cosmetics, paints, coatings, concrete, ceramics, greases, plastic, and rubber compounding applications. Whatever the resin or manufacturing process may be, PMC Biogenix metallic stearates solve the following problems:
 

• Flow Issues and High Friction

• Foaming and Suspension Issues

• Rough Surface Finish and Increased Friction

• Molding Residuals and Difficulty Releasing the Molded Parts

• Staining and Low Water Repellency

Aluminum Stearates:

Aluminum stearates are most utilized for their excellent hydrophobic properties, which are highly beneficial in concrete mixes and solution-form surface applications.
 
The water insolubility of aluminum stearates makes them ideal water-repellency polymer additives, especially in industrial and heavy-duty applications. They also provide a remarkable ability to thicken or gel many organic fluids that can be utilized for lubricity and water resistance.

Aluminum stearates are specialty additives that can also find use in paint and coating applications. They provide outstanding wetting properties for the dispersion or suspension of pigments and solids. Additionally, aluminum stearates offer rheology modification properties, prevent sag and flatting, and improve the brushing characteristics of paint formulations.

The use level of aluminum stearates in paints generally varies from 0.2 - 1.5% based on the total formulation weight. Specialty products, such as artistic paints, might require a higher level of aluminum stearate. Coating specialty products commonly use Aluminum stearate 132 which is derived from distilled, hydrogenated fatty acids and provide strong hydrophobic, lubrication, and thickening abilities.

Solubility
Aluminum stearates are soluble in the following:

• Hot Turpentine

• Benzene

• Toluene

• Xylenes

• Pyridines

• Waxes

• Vegetable Oils

• Oleic Acids

• Carbon Tetrachloride Solvents

Aluminum stearates are insoluble in or very sparingly soluble in water, methanol, ethanol, esters, or ketones.

Calcium Stearates:

Calcium stearates are calcium salts of distilled fatty acids supplied in fine particle size in ceramics, plastics, and many other industrial and consumer applications.
 
Calcium stearates are used as catalyst neutralizers, processing aids for ceramics, and lubrication aids in polypropylene and other polyolefin plastics. They also offer improved clarity to non-pigmented films and can be used in pigmented products depending on the process's dust limitations.

Fused calcium stearates, mainly the vegetable grades, are used in several food and spice applications. The product selection is typically based on particle size characteristics. Calcium Stearate FG is one of PMC Biogenix's fused grades of calcium salt of distilled, hydrogenated fatty acids that provide exceptional use in food contact applications due to FDA clearance.

Solubility
Calcium stearates are soluble in the following:

• Hot Turpentine

• Benzene

• Toluene

• Xylenes

• Carbon Tetrachloride

• Vegetable Oils

• Oleic Acid

• Waxes

• Pyridine
   

Calcium stearates are insoluble in or very sparingly soluble in water, methanol, ethanol, esters, or ketones.

Lithium Stearates:

Lithium stearates are derived from animal and vegetable fatty acids and are known for their excellent lubrication and thickening properties in grease formulations.
 
Lithium stearate 304 and 306 are specifically developed for use in hydrocarbon and synthetic lubricants and greases. Lithium stearate 306 is an excellent choice for polishing wheels' lubrication, while lithium stearate PM is the recommended grade for metal powder molding applications.

 

Solubility
 Lithium stearates are entirely soluble in:

• Hot Mineral Oils

• Waxes with gel formation upon cooling 
   

Lithium stearates are partially soluble in water, methanol, ethanol, esters, ketones, and vegetable oils. They are also entirely insoluble in benzene, toluene, and xylenes.

Sodium Stearates:

Sodium stearates are sodium salts of distilled fatty acids commonly known for their application in cosmetics and personal care formulations. Sodium stearates can also be used in paints, coatings, plastics, and rubber applications.

Sodium stearates are utilized in personal care formulations such as creams, lotions, and shampoos for their wetting, thickening, emulsification, and opacification properties. They have also been used as gelling agents in gels sticks due to their relatively high solubility in hot polar solvents, which allows the formation of rigid and semi-rigid gel preparations upon cooling.
 
Sodium stearate T-1 is used as a lubricant in polypropylenes, polystyrenes, polyamides, and polycarbonates due to its high softening point and discoloration resistance. It is also utilized as an emulsifier and a vulcanization promoter in latex and rubber applications.

Solubility
Sodium stearates are entirely soluble in:

• Hot Mineral Oils

• Wax with gel formation upon cooling
   

Sodium stearates are partially soluble in water, methanol, ethanol, esters, ketones, and vegetable oils. And are entirely insoluble in benzene, toluene, and xylenes.