Zinc Stearate Supplier in Malaysia
- Also known as
- Zinc Octadecanoate
- Zinc Distearate
- Zinc Salt of Stearic Acid
Zinc stearate supplier for PVC, polyolefin, rubber, coating and cosmetic formulators in Malaysia. Also written zinc distearate or zinc octadecanoate (CAS 557-05-1), it is a soft white hydrophobic powder with a faint fatty odour that will not wet out in water.
Commercial choice runs from standard technical powder to micronised material for dusting work, plus precipitated and fused grades that differ in bulk density and free fatty acid. Most powder on the market comes from mixed C16 and C18 fatty acids rather than pure stearic acid, so zinc content and free acid figures move with the grade.
In polymer processing it lubricates, releases and controls plate-out, and it dusts uncured rubber stock to stop it sticking. Beyond polymers it turns up as a sanding and matting additive in wood lacquer, a slip additive in paper coating, a pressed powder binder in cosmetics and a die lubricant in powder metallurgy and friction material pressing.
State the grade, fineness or bulk density, quantity and delivery point in the enquiry. Pack format, documentation, availability and timing are set out with the quotation.
- CAS number
- 557-05-1
- Formula
- Zn(C18H35O2)2
- Grade
- technical, micronised, precipitated, fused, cosmetic
- Appearance
- soft white fine powder with a faint fatty odour
Zinc Stearate grades and forms
We supply several forms to suit different formulating and dosing setups. If you need a size that is not listed, ask us.
| Grade | Form | Assay | Typical use | Packing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical grade zinc stearate powder | soft white fine powder | — | The volume grade for PVC, polyolefin and rubber processing, where it lubricates the melt, helps the part leave the tool and reduces plate-out. State the compound and the dosing point so the fineness can be matched. | Bag packing; the size is confirmed with the quotation. |
| Micronised zinc stearate powder | micronised white powder | — | Chosen where the powder is dusted, sprayed or air-conveyed onto a surface rather than blended into a melt, such as anti-tack dusting of uncured rubber stock and matting or sanding additives in wood lacquer. | Bag packing; the size is confirmed with the quotation. |
| Precipitated zinc stearate | light low-density white powder | — | The aqueous precipitation route gives a softer, lower bulk density powder that disperses readily in coatings, inks and lacquer systems. Request it when dispersion and low free acid matter more than feeder behaviour. | Bag packing; the size is confirmed with the quotation. |
| Fused zinc stearate | denser white powder or coarse powder | — | Produced by the melt route, this material has a higher bulk density and dusts less, which suits gravimetric feeders and closed dosing lines. Send the bulk density range the feeder is set up for. | Bag packing; the size is confirmed with the quotation. |
| Cosmetic grade zinc stearate | fine white powder | — | Binder and slip agent in pressed powders, eyeshadows and blushers, where a metal soap holds the cake together and improves payoff. Name the standard the formulation has to meet so the quotation can address it. | Bag packing; the size is confirmed with the quotation. |
How to buy zinc stearate from ChemTrade
Request a quote for zinc stearate
Use the form below to request a quotation. You can also email sales@chemtrademalaysia.com or send us a message on WhatsApp.
Specifications
| Parameter | Value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | soft white to off-white fine powder with a faint fatty odour | — |
| CAS number | 557-05-1 | — |
| Chemical formula | Zn(C18H35O2)2 | — |
| Solubility in water | insoluble; the powder is hydrophobic and floats rather than wetting out | — |
| Zinc content | typically about 10 to 11 per cent on commercial powder, stated on the specification for the grade quoted | — |
| Free fatty acid | grade dependent; precipitated and fused routes give different figures, so the limit is set against the grade | — |
| Melting point | commonly reported near 120 °C, and the exact figure moves with the grade and fatty acid feed | — |
| Fineness | graded by sieve residue and particle size distribution; state what the process needs | — |
| Common grade checks | zinc content, free fatty acid, moisture, ash, fineness and bulk density according to the application | — |
Zinc Stearate applications
Safety and handling
Keep bags closed in a cool, dry store away from heat, ignition sources and strong oxidisers. A light hydrophobic powder becomes airborne easily, so extract or enclose the tipping point and work to the safety information issued with the grade quoted.
Common questions about zinc stearate
What does zinc stearate do in a PVC or polyolefin compound?
It lubricates internally to improve melt flow and externally to release the part from hot metal, and in mixed metal soap systems it works alongside the main stabiliser package. It also limits plate-out on tooling. Loading is set by the recipe, the filler level and how hard the line runs.
Is zinc stearate the same as zinc oxide?
No. Zinc oxide is an inorganic white pigment and rubber activator, while zinc stearate is an organic zinc soap used as a lubricant, release agent and anti-tack powder. They are separate products with separate specifications, so state which one the recipe calls for.
Is zinc stearate the same as stearic acid?
No, they are different products. One is the fatty acid feedstock and the other is the neutralised zinc soap made from it, which no longer behaves as an acid and no longer melts or dissolves the same way. A recipe written for the metal soap cannot be filled with the acid.
How does zinc stearate differ from the other metallic stearates?
The metal decides the behaviour. Zinc versions are picked for external lubrication, release and anti-tack dusting, whereas the calcium, magnesium and aluminium soaps are separate catalogue products with their own lubrication, water repellency and anticaking roles. Order the metal soap the formulation specifies rather than treating them as substitutes.
Should I request precipitated or fused zinc stearate?
Precipitated material is lighter and disperses more easily, which suits coatings, inks and lacquers. Fused material is denser and dusts less, which suits gravimetric feeders and enclosed dosing. Send the bulk density and fineness the line runs on and both routes can be priced.
Is zinc stearate soluble in water?
No, it is insoluble and hydrophobic, which is exactly why it works as a release and anti-blocking powder. Where a waterborne route is unavoidable, buyers ask about an aqueous dispersion of the same soap instead of the dry powder, so mention the dosing method in the enquiry.
What details are needed for a zinc stearate price enquiry?
Send the grade, fineness or bulk density target, free fatty acid or zinc content limits if the specification sets them, the quantity and the delivery location. Note any documentation the receiving plant needs so it can be covered with the quotation.