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Potassium Stearate is the potassium salt of stearic acid used as a soap, emulsifier, surfactant, lubricant, release agent, and stabilizing additive, and Potassium Stearate is valued for its anionic surface activity, foam generation, emulsifying behavior, and compatibility with many alkaline aqueous systems.
Potassium Stearate is commonly used in cosmetics, shaving products, soaps, detergents, rubber processing, plastics, coatings, inks, and textile auxiliaries where fatty acid soap functionality supports cleansing, dispersion, lubrication, and processing performance.
Potassium Stearate is typically supplied as a white to off-white powder, flakes, granules, or paste depending on grade, and Potassium Stearate performance depends on fatty acid purity, potassium content, free stearic acid level, moisture, particle form, pH, dosage, and formulation compatibility.
CAS Number: 593-29-3
EC Number: 209-786-1
Molecular Formula: C18H35KO2
Molecular Weight: 322.57 g/mol
Synonyms: Potassium Stearate, Stearic Acid Potassium Salt, Potassium Octadecanoate, Octadecanoic Acid Potassium Salt, Potassium Soap of Stearic Acid, Potassium Stearate Soap, Potassium Stearate Powder, Potassium Stearate Flakes, Fatty Acid Potassium Salt, Anionic Soap Surfactant, Cosmetic Potassium Stearate, Industrial Potassium Stearate, Potassium Stearate, Stearic Acid Potassium Salt, Potassium Octadecanoate, Octadecanoic Acid Potassium Salt, Potassium Salt of Stearic Acid, Stearate Potassium, Potassium Stearate Soap, Potassium Soap of Stearic Acid, Potassium Fatty Acid Salt, Potassium C18 Fatty Acid Salt, Potassium Stearate Powder, Potassium Stearate Flakes, Potassium Stearate Granules, Potassium Stearate Solid, Potassium Stearate White Powder, Potassium Stearate Technical Grade, Potassium Stearate Industrial Grade, Potassium Stearate Chemical Grade, Potassium Stearate Cosmetic Grade, Potassium Stearate Pharmaceutical Grade, Potassium Stearate Food Grade, Potassium Stearate High Purity, High Purity Potassium Stearate, Potassium Stearate Pure, Pure Potassium Stearate, Potassium Stearate Emulsifier, Potassium Stearate Surfactant, Potassium Stearate Surface Active Agent, Potassium Stearate Detergent Additive, Potassium Stearate Soap Base, Potassium Stearate Lubricant, Potassium Stearate Release Agent, Potassium Stearate Anti-Caking Agent, Potassium Stearate Stabilizer, Potassium Stearate Thickening Agent, Potassium Stearate Gelling Agent, Potassium Stearate Dispersing Agent, Potassium Stearate Processing Aid, Potassium Stearate Plastic Additive, Potassium Stearate Rubber Additive, Potassium Stearate Coating Additive
APPLICATIONS
Potassium Stearate is used in shaving creams and shaving foams to provide rich, stable, creamy foam.
Potassium Stearate is incorporated into traditional soap-based shaving formulations to improve glide, cushion, and lather stability.
Potassium Stearate is used in personal cleansing products where mild soap-based detergency and foam are desired.
Potassium Stearate is used in cosmetic creams and lotions as an emulsifier and stabilizer.
Potassium Stearate is incorporated into oil-in-water emulsion systems to support texture, viscosity, and phase stability.
Potassium Stearate is used in skincare and body-care formulations where soap emulsifier chemistry is compatible with alkaline pH.
Potassium Stearate is used in soaps and detergents as an anionic surfactant and cleansing agent.
Potassium Stearate is incorporated into liquid soap, soft soap, and specialty detergent systems to improve foam and soil removal.
Potassium Stearate is used in cleaning formulations where fatty acid soap behavior supports wetting and emulsification of oily soils.
Potassium Stearate is used in rubber processing as a lubricant, dispersing aid, and release agent.
Potassium Stearate is incorporated into rubber compounds to improve processing, filler dispersion, and mold release behavior.
Potassium Stearate is used in latex and elastomer systems where soap-type stabilization and processing support are required.
Potassium Stearate is used in plastics, coatings, and inks as a lubricant, flow aid, and dispersion-supporting additive.
Potassium Stearate is incorporated into polymer processing systems where fatty acid salt functionality can reduce friction and improve release.
Potassium Stearate is valued because Potassium Stearate provides soap-like emulsification, foam, lubrication, dispersion support, and alkaline formulation compatibility across cosmetic, detergent, rubber, plastic, and industrial applications.
Potassium Stearate is used as an emulsifying agent in cosmetic formulations.
Potassium Stearate helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions in creams and lotions.
Potassium Stearate is used in soap manufacturing.
Potassium Stearate contributes to cleansing, foaming, and emulsifying performance in soap systems.
Potassium Stearate is used in liquid soap formulations.
Potassium Stearate helps improve texture and lather quality in compatible cleansing products.
Potassium Stearate is used in shaving cream formulations.
Potassium Stearate supports rich foam formation and smooth razor glide.
Potassium Stearate is used in shaving soap products.
Potassium Stearate helps create dense and stable shaving lather.
Potassium Stearate is used in facial cleanser formulations.
Potassium Stearate supports mild cleansing and emulsification in alkaline systems.
Potassium Stearate is used in body wash formulations.
Potassium Stearate helps improve foam structure and product consistency.
Potassium Stearate is used in hand wash formulations.
Potassium Stearate supports cleansing action and skin-feel adjustment.
Potassium Stearate is used in cosmetic cream bases.
Potassium Stearate helps provide structure and emulsion stability.
Potassium Stearate is used in lotion formulations.
Potassium Stearate supports viscosity control and stable dispersion of oil phases.
Potassium Stearate is used in pharmaceutical ointment bases.
Potassium Stearate helps emulsify oily ingredients in topical preparations.
Potassium Stearate is used in topical cream formulations.
Potassium Stearate supports smooth texture and uniform active distribution.
Potassium Stearate is used as a lubricant in tablet manufacturing.
Potassium Stearate helps reduce sticking during compression and processing.
Potassium Stearate is used in powder processing.
Potassium Stearate supports flow improvement and anti-adherent behavior in selected dry blends.
Potassium Stearate is used in rubber processing.
Potassium Stearate acts as a processing aid and lubricant in compatible rubber systems.
Potassium Stearate is used in latex formulations.
Potassium Stearate helps stabilize latex dispersions and improve processing behavior.
Potassium Stearate is used in polymer processing.
Potassium Stearate functions as an internal or external lubricant in selected plastic systems.
Potassium Stearate is used in PVC formulations.
Potassium Stearate supports processing, lubrication, and release properties.
Potassium Stearate is used in mold-release formulations.
Potassium Stearate helps reduce adhesion between molded materials and processing equipment.
Potassium Stearate is used in metalworking lubricants.
Potassium Stearate contributes fatty acid salt lubrication in compatible systems.
Potassium Stearate is used in grease and lubricant formulations.
Potassium Stearate can act as a thickening or soap component in selected lubricating systems.
Potassium Stearate is used in textile processing auxiliaries.
Potassium Stearate supports softening, lubrication, and emulsification in textile treatments.
Potassium Stearate is used in pigment dispersion systems.
Potassium Stearate helps wet and disperse pigments in compatible formulations.
Potassium Stearate is used in paint and coating additives.
Potassium Stearate supports dispersion, flow, and surface behavior in selected systems.
Potassium Stearate is used in food-contact or food-related processing applications where an approved grade is selected.
Potassium Stearate can function as an emulsifier or processing aid under permitted conditions.
Potassium Stearate is used in agricultural formulation systems.
Potassium Stearate helps emulsify and disperse active ingredients in compatible products.
Potassium Stearate is used in cleaning product formulations.
Potassium Stearate supports emulsification of oils and soils during washing.
Potassium Stearate is used in specialty chemical manufacturing.
Potassium Stearate serves as a water-dispersible metallic soap additive.
Potassium Stearate is used in research and development of soap, emulsion, and lubricant systems.
Potassium Stearate supports applications requiring emulsification, lubrication, foam formation, and surface activity.
Potassium Stearate can stabilize emulsions in suitable formulation conditions.
Potassium Stearate can improve foam density and creaminess in shaving products.
Potassium Stearate can function as a lubricant and release agent in industrial systems.
Potassium Stearate performance depends on purity, fatty acid composition, particle size, pH, and formulation design.
Potassium Stearate may be used with other surfactants, fatty acids, oils, waxes, and stabilizers.
Potassium Stearate quality may be defined by assay, acid value, alkalinity, moisture, color, and particle form.
Potassium Stearate should be stored in tightly closed containers.
Potassium Stearate should be protected from moisture, contamination, and excessive heat.
Potassium Stearate should be handled in a way that minimizes dust generation.
Potassium Stearate may irritate eyes, skin, or respiratory passages if dust exposure occurs.
Potassium Stearate should be used according to supplier safety data and applicable regulations.
Potassium Stearate should be selected according to cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food, or industrial grade requirements.
Potassium Stearate is important in soaps, shaving products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, rubber, plastics, and lubricants.
Potassium Stearate is valued for combining fatty acid salt chemistry with practical emulsifying and lubricating performance.
Potassium Stearate supports formulations requiring foam, texture, dispersion, and surface modification.
Potassium Stearate is a versatile metallic soap used across personal care and industrial applications.
DESCRIPTION
Potassium Stearate is produced by neutralizing stearic acid with potassium hydroxide, forming a potassium fatty acid salt with an anionic carboxylate head group and a long hydrophobic C18 chain.
Potassium Stearate behaves as a soap surfactant, and its structure allows it to interact with both water and oily materials to support emulsification, cleansing, and foam formation.
Potassium Stearate is more compatible with soft soap and liquid or semi-solid systems than some harder sodium soap systems, depending on formulation design.
Potassium Stearate performs best in alkaline systems, and acidic conditions can convert Potassium Stearate back to stearic acid, reducing solubility and soap activity.
Potassium Stearate can form insoluble salts with calcium, magnesium, and other multivalent ions, so hard water and electrolyte content can affect foam, clarity, and performance.
Potassium Stearate should be formulated with attention to pH, temperature, water hardness, emulsifier balance, and compatibility with cationic ingredients.
Potassium Stearate is the potassium salt of stearic acid.
Potassium Stearate is a fatty acid soap with surface-active properties.
Potassium Stearate is typically supplied as a white to off-white powder, granule, or flake.
Potassium Stearate is valued for emulsifying, cleansing, lubricating, and foam-supporting performance.
Potassium Stearate is more water-dispersible than many alkaline earth metal stearates.
Potassium Stearate can form alkaline aqueous solutions or dispersions.
Potassium Stearate is compatible with many soap, cosmetic, rubber, and polymer systems.
Potassium Stearate helps reduce interfacial tension between oil and water phases.
Potassium Stearate is generally stable under normal dry storage conditions, but Potassium Stearate should be protected from moisture, strong acids, contamination, and strong oxidizers.
Potassium Stearate may absorb moisture or cake if stored in humid conditions, which can affect weighing, dispersion, and processing behavior.
Potassium Stearate should be used according to applicable cosmetic, detergent, food-contact-adjacent, rubber, plastic, coating, or industrial regulations for the target market.
PROPERTIES
Chemical Formula: C18H35KO2
Molecular Weight: 322.57 g/mol
Common Name: Potassium Stearate
Chemical Type: Potassium fatty acid salt; anionic soap surfactant; emulsifier; lubricant
Appearance: White to off-white powder, flakes, granules, or paste, grade dependent
Odor: Mild fatty odor or nearly odorless
Solubility: Dispersible or soluble in hot water; limited solubility in cold water; insoluble in many nonpolar solvents
pH Behavior: Alkaline in aqueous systems
Melting/Softening Behavior: Grade dependent; decomposes at elevated temperature rather than sharp boiling
Foam Behavior: Produces soap-type foam in suitable alkaline water systems
Emulsifying Function: Supports oil-in-water emulsification and soap-based stabilization
Compatibility: Sensitive to acids, hard water ions, and cationic ingredients
Stability: Stable under recommended dry storage; protect from moisture, acids, oxidation, and contamination
Storage Temperature: 15–30°C, tightly closed, dry
Shelf Life: Typically 12–36 months in original sealed packaging, supplier dependent
FIRST AID
Inhalation:
Move to fresh air if dust is inhaled.
Seek medical attention if coughing, respiratory irritation, or discomfort persists.
Avoid breathing dust during powder handling, weighing, and blending operations.
Skin Contact:
Wash skin with soap and water after contact.
Seek medical advice if irritation, dryness, or redness develops or persists.
Remove contaminated clothing if necessary and wash before reuse.
Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, then continue rinsing.
Seek medical attention if irritation, redness, or foreign-body sensation persists.
Ingestion:
Rinse mouth with water.
Do not induce vomiting.
Seek medical attention if discomfort occurs or if a significant amount is swallowed.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Note to Physicians:
Treat symptomatically.
Monitor for mechanical irritation from dust and mild alkaline irritation after significant exposure.
Provide supportive care as needed.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling:
Use appropriate PPE including gloves, safety glasses, and dust protection for bulk powder handling.
Avoid generating dust during transfer, weighing, blending, and charging operations.
Use clean, dry equipment to prevent contamination and maintain consistent soap performance.
Ventilation:
Use general ventilation for normal handling.
Use local exhaust ventilation where dust may be generated.
Control airborne dust accumulation in enclosed processing areas.
Storage:
Store in tightly closed bags or containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
Protect from moisture, excessive heat, direct sunlight, and contamination.
Keep away from strong acids, strong oxidizers, and incompatible cationic materials.
Spill and Leak Procedures:
Sweep or vacuum spilled material while avoiding dust generation.
Collect into suitable containers for reuse or disposal according to local regulations and facility procedures.
Clean remaining residue carefully because soap residues can create slippery surfaces when wet.
Handling Precautions:
Control pH because acidic conditions can convert Potassium Stearate into stearic acid and reduce soap performance.
Control water hardness because calcium and magnesium ions can reduce foam and form insoluble stearate deposits.
Rotate stock using FIFO practices to maintain consistent moisture level, particle flow, odor profile, and formulation performance.
