Stearic Acid

What Does Stearic Acid Mean?

Stearic acid is a chemical substance with the chemical formula C₁₈H₃₆O₂ that occurs naturally as a colorless, water-soluble solid. It is highly fatty and occurs as glyceride or other animal-based fats. Stearic acid is used to produce corrosion inhibiting substances such as stearic imidazoline.

Corrosionpedia Explains Stearic Acid

Stearic acid is used to manufacture corrosion inhibiting substances that are used to coat metallic surfaces and provide a protective barrier film. Such inhibitors impede the flow of free energy and ions, keeping the base material dry and free of damage. Special coatings are engineered to provide fire protection and corrosion-causing electrochemical reactions that are unique to a given environment. Stearic acid is also the most common fatty acid used in industrial applications.

Stearic acid is obtained via the process of saponification of triglycerides with hot water at its boiling temperature. The resulting mixture is distilled and mixed with palmitic acids for chemical stability.