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| Synonyms:Octadecanoic acid butyl ester Stearic acid butyl ester Butyl octadecanoate Butyl stearate cosmetic grade Molecular Formula:C22H44O2 Molecular Weight: 340.58 HS Code: 2915709090 Grade: Industrial grade 98% Hazard Class:General Cargo | |||||||||
123-95-5
bosschemical
123-95-5
Butyl stearate (butyl octadecanoate; n-butyl stearate; CH₃(CH₂)₁₆COOC₄H₉, CAS 123-95-5) is the butyl ester of stearic acid — a colorless, practically odorless, very low-volatility liquid at ambient temperature (solidifying near 20–27 °C). It is a versatile fatty ester that functions simultaneously as an emollient, a polymer plasticizer and lubricant, a flavor solvent and a processing aid across cosmetics, plastics, textiles, leather, metalworking and food-contact applications. This page covers its identity, properties, applications, packaging and supply details for non-pharmaceutical use.
Core value propositions:
● Triple-Role Ester: emollient + plasticizer/lubricant + solvent in one molecule;
● Extremely Low Volatility: vapor pressure ≈ 5.8×10⁻⁶ mmHg at 25 °C — long-lasting films and stable oil phases;
● Regulatory Reach: for direct food use (synthetic flavor) and food-contact applications;cosmetic emollient;
● Environmentally Benign: rapidly biodegradable long-chain fatty ester.
Item | Specification |
Chemical Name | Butyl stearate (butyl octadecanoate; n-butyl stearate) |
Synonyms | Octadecanoic acid butyl ester; butyl n-octadecanoate |
CAS No. | 123-95-5 |
EC No. (EINECS) | 204-666-5 |
Molecular Formula | C₂₂H₄₄O₂ (CH₃(CH₂)₁₆COOC₄H₉) |
Molecular Weight | 340.58 g/mol |
Appearance | Colorless to very pale yellow liquid above 20 °C; white waxy solid below (odorless or faintly fatty) |
Butyl stearate is a straight-chain fatty ester built from the C18 saturated stearic acid and a short C4 n-butanol. The molecule combines a long hydrophobic C17 alkyl tail with a polar ester head and a short butyl chain — a structure that gives it three working features: excellent wetting and spreading on surfaces, strong compatibility with oils, waxes and resin systems, and a softening/lubricating effect in polymers. It is produced by esterification of stearic acid (from vegetable or animal fat) with n-butanol. Because the molecule is fully saturated, it resists oxidation far better than unsaturated esters, and its low polarity and high molecular weight keep volatility extremely low (vapor pressure ≈ 5.8×10⁻⁶ mmHg at 25 °C). It melts around 27 °C — just below skin temperature — which is exactly what makes it feel light and non-greasy in cosmetic films, and it is practically insoluble in water yet miscible with oils, which makes it an effective water barrier and defoamer.
● Light emollient with excellent spreadability: listed as emollient
● Dual polymer function: plasticizer for cellulose esters, polystyrene and laminated fiber products, plus lubricant in PVC extrusion and molding.
● Extremely low volatility and high oxidative stability (fully saturated): durable films, stable oil phases.
● Broad compatibility: soluble in mineral/vegetable oils, miscible with waxes and resins; water-insoluble for water-barrier behavior.
● Food-contact standing: synthetic flavor, flavor solvent and indirect food additive in adhesives and packaging.
● Biodegradable and mild: rapidly biodegradable fatty ester;
● Consistent quality: controlled acid value, saponification value and color with COA.
cosmetic ingredient with the function of emollient, used in creams, lotions and lipsticks. Its specific working point: melting near 27 °C (below skin temperature) turns the solid ester into a light, silky oil film on contact, delivering moisturizing feel without greasiness, while its HLB of about 11 suits oil-in-water emulsion systems and its spreading character helps even pigment and active distribution in color cosmetics.
● Creams, lotions and lipsticks: emollient and spreading agent.
● Skin-care formulations: soft, non-greasy after-feel.
● Color cosmetics: pigment wetting and even film formation.
Plasticizer for cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose nitrate, ethyl cellulose, polystyrene and laminated fiber products, and lubricant in the extrusion and molding of PVC. Its specific working points: the ester penetrates the polymer matrix and reduces inter-chain forces (internal plasticization), while at melt/surface interfaces its low surface energy creates an anti-adhesive boundary layer that keeps PVC compound from sticking to hot metal tooling (external lubrication).
● Cellulose ester and polystyrene compounds: plasticizer with very low volatility.
● PVC extrusion and molding: processing lubricant and release aid.
● Laminated fiber products: softening and moisture barrier.
Used in special lubricants and as a processing aid in fabricated metal manufacturing. Its specific working point: the long fatty chain adsorbs onto metal surfaces to form a boundary lubricating film, and the ester's extremely low volatility keeps that film intact under heat and load — plus its anti-adhesive character reduces galling and tool wear.
● Specialty lubricants and grease formulations: boundary-film additive.
● Metalworking and fabrication: anti-adhesive/cohesive processing aid.
● Anti-seize and release applications: low-volatility separating film.
Solvent, spreading agent and softening agent in the textile and leather industries; used to make leather cloth and leather varnishes; in polishes, carbon paper and inks. Its specific working point: as a spreading agent it lowers the surface tension of wax and pigment pastes so they flow evenly, while fiber and hide adsorption of the fatty ester imparts softness and surface slip.
● Textile finishing and processing: softener and spreading agent.
● Leather cloth and leather varnishes: softening and film flexibility.
● Shoe, floor and furniture polishes: wax spreading and gloss carrier; carbon paper and inks.
direct food additive (synthetic flavor), as solvent for flavors such as butter and banana, and as an indirect food additive in adhesives and as a plasticizer migrating from food-packaging polymers. Its specific working points: as a flavor solvent it dissolves hydrophobic flavor compounds for even distribution; as a defoamer and water-proofing agent its low surface tension and water insolubility destabilize foam films and block moisture penetration; it also serves as a damp-proofer for concrete and a component of propellants.
● Flavor solvent (butter, banana) and synthetic flavoring ingredient.
● Adhesives and food-packaging polymers: indirect food-contact plasticizer.
● Defoamer, water-proofing agent and concrete damp-proofer.
Packaging (customizable):
● 180–200 kg steel drums; 1,000 kg IBC totes;small packs on request;
Storage:
● Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area; keep containers tightly closed;
● Avoid prolonged high temperature and direct sunlight;
● Keep away from strong oxidizing agents and open flames (flash point ≈ 160 °C).
● Factory-direct supply: own production and sourcing capability, transparent pricing, no middleman markup.
● Stable quality: strict internal control, every batch tested (acid value, saponification value, color), COA with every shipment.
● Fast response: quotations and technical support (COA, SDS, application advice); small trial orders accepted.
Butyl stearate is a multi-role fatty ester. In cosmetics it is a CIR-reviewed emollient for creams, lotions and lipsticks; in polymers it is a plasticizer for cellulose esters and polystyrene and a lubricant in PVC processing; in industry it serves in special lubricants, metalworking, textiles, leather and polishes; and in food-related use it is an FDA-listed synthetic flavor, a flavor solvent and an indirect food-contact additive in adhesives and packaging.
Because it melts near 27 °C — just below skin temperature — it transforms from a waxy solid into a light, silky oil on contact, giving emollient feel without grease. Its HLB of about 11 fits oil-in-water emulsions, its spreading character helps distribute pigments and actives evenly, and its very low volatility keeps the film from evaporating away. These properties are why it is a long-standing, CIR-reviewed emollient in creams, lotions and lipsticks.
Yes. It is GHS not classified (91.6% of company notifications), has very low volatility and is a stable, low-toxicity saturated ester. It is FDA-listed as a direct food additive (synthetic flavor) and for food-contact use in adhesives and packaging, and is CIR-reviewed for cosmetic use. It is rapidly biodegradable in the environment. Use normal industrial hygiene and follow the SDS.
All three are fatty esters but with different property profiles. Methyl stearate is the stearic acid methyl ester — a harder, higher-melting waxy ester used in wax, sizing and anti-blocking applications. Butyl oleate is the butyl ester of the unsaturated oleic acid — it stays fluid at much lower temperatures, giving superior cold-flow and low-temperature lubricity, at the cost of lower oxidative stability. Butyl stearate sits between them: a soft, near-liquid ester with broad compatibility, low volatility and high oxidative stability. They are distinct products with different CAS numbers — specify the exact ester when ordering.
