Stearic acid, chemical formula C18H36O2, molecular weight 284.48, is a compound, octadecanoic acid.It is produced by hydrolysis of oil and is mainly used to produce stearate.

Stearic acid is one of several main longchain fatty acids that make up oils and fats. It exists in animal  fats, oils and some vegetable oils in the form of glycerides. Stearic acid is obtained by hydrolysis of these oils. Stearic acid is a kind of fatty acid that exists widely in nature. It has the chemical properties of general carboxylic acid. Almost all fats and oils contain stearic acid with varying content. The content of stearic acid is higher in animal fat, such as tallow. Up to 24%, the content of vegetable oil is less, tea oil is 0.8%, palm oil is 6%, but the content of cocoa butter is as high as 34%.

1. Mainly used to produce stearate.
2. Used as a raw material for lubricants, defoamers and food additives in the food industry.
3. It is used for emulsification in two types of skin care products, vanishing cream and cold cream, so that it becomes a stable and white paste.
4. Used as raw material for plastic cold-resistant plasticizer and PVC stabilizer.
5. Used as vulcanizing active agent (rubber vulcanizing agent) for natural rubber, synthetic rubber (except butyl rubber) and latex.
6. Used in medicine to prepare ointments, suppositories, etc.