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| Synonyms:12-HSA 12-Hydroxyoctadecanoic acid lithium salt 12-Hydroxystearic acid lithium salt Lithium 12-hydroxy stearate Lithium 12-hydroxyoctadecylate Molecular Formula:C18H35LiO3 Molecular Weight: 306.41 HS Code: 2918190090 Grade:99% Hazard Class:General Cargo | |||||||||
7620-77-1
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7620-77-1
Lithium 12-hydroxystearate is the lithium soap of 12-hydroxystearic acid, a white, free-flowing powder with a melting point near 200 °C. It is the most important thickener of modern lubricating grease: lithium greases based on this soap account for the majority of industrial and automotive grease consumption worldwide, prized for their high dropping point, water resistance, mechanical stability and long service life.
As a pre-formed (preformed) thickener, lithium 12-hydroxystearate can be blended directly into mineral or synthetic base oils to manufacture lithium grease in fewer steps, with less energy and in significantly less time than traditional in-situ saponification. Beyond lubrication, the same soap chemistry serves as a foam-release agent, a plastics lubricant and a specialty additive in coatings and personal care.
A single soap, four core value propositions:
Grease Thickening:
● a pre-formed lithium soap thickener that builds consistent lithium grease structure quickly and efficiently;
High-Performance Lubricants:
● the basis of multipurpose, high-temperature and water-resistant lithium greases for automotive and industrial service;
Coatings & Plastics Additives:
● a foam-release, lubricating and anti-settling additive for coatings, plastics and processing;
Specialty Applications:
● a viscosity and moisture-barrier aid in personal care and specialty formulations.
Item | Specification |
Chemical Name | Lithium 12-hydroxystearate (Lithium 12-hydroxyoctadecanoate) |
Synonyms | 12-Hydroxystearic acid lithium salt; Lithium hydroxystearate; C₁₇H₃₄(OH)COOLi |
CAS No. | 7620-77-1 |
EC No. (EINECS) | 231-536-5 |
Molecular Formula | C₁₈H₃₅LiO₃ |
Molecular Weight | 306.41 g/mol |
HS Code | 2915.70 (stearic acid and salts; 8-digit code may vary by destination) |
Appearance | White to off-white powder |
Melting Point | ≈ 200 °C |
Assay | ≥ 99.0% (typical) |
● Excellent water resistance: the hydroxylated soap structure resists washout, ideal for moist and marine environments.
● Superior mechanical stability: strong fiber network maintains grease consistency under shear — less softening or hardening in service.
● Long grease life: oxidation-stable structure extends relubrication intervals and bearing life.
● Versatile chemistry: works in mineral, PAO, ester and other synthetic base oils; compatible with common additives.
● Multi-industry reach: one soap serving greases, coatings, plastics and specialty formulations.
1 Grease Thickening (Core Application)
Lithium 12-hydroxystearate is the standard thickener of modern lubricating grease:
● Multipurpose lithium grease: thickens mineral and synthetic oils into NLGI 0 – 3 grade greases for bearings, chassis and general machinery;
● Pre-formed route: direct addition to oil for fast, reproducible batches in grease plants;
● Complex lithium greases: combined with dibasic-acid lithium soaps and borates for extreme-pressure, high-temperature service;
● Food-grade and specialty greases: base soap for application-specific formulations.
2 High-Performance Lubricants
● Automotive greases: wheel-bearing, chassis and electric-vehicle greases needing water resistance and long life;
● Industrial greases: steel, cement, mining and paper-mill greases under heat, load and contamination;
● Marine and moist-service greases: resists water washout in dockside and coastal equipment;
● High-temperature greases: maintains structure where plain calcium or sodium soaps fail.
3 Coatings & Plastics Additives
● Foam-release agent: defoams and releases entrapped air in coatings, inks and polymer systems;
● Plastics lubricant: internal/external lubricant and mold-release aid in thermoplastics processing;
● Anti-settling and rheology: stabilizes pigment and filler dispersions in solvent-borne systems.
4 Specialty Applications
● Personal care: viscosity control and moisture barrier in creams, sticks and anhydrous formulations;
● Textile and leather: lubricating and softening aid in processing;
● Metalworking: component of drawing and forming lubricant packages.
Packaging (customizable):
● 25 kg multi-wall paper bag with PE liner, 20 kg carton, or 500 kg – 1,000 kg FIBC;
Storage:
● Keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat;
● Keep containers closed to prevent moisture pick-up and caking;
● Recommended storage temperature 5 °C – 35 °C.
● Factory-direct supply: own production capacity, transparent pricing, no middleman markup;
● Stable quality: strict internal control, every batch tested, COA with every shipment;
● Export experience: familiar with sea/air shipping documentation for chemical commodities, complete paperwork support;
● Fast response: quotations and technical support (COA, grease formulation advice) within 24 hours; small trial orders accepted.
Its dominant use is as the thickener of lithium lubricating greases — the most widely used grease family in automotive and industry. As a pre-formed soap it is blended directly into base oil to make multipurpose, high-temperature and water-resistant greases. It is also used as a foam-release agent, a plastics lubricant and a specialty additive in coatings and personal care.
Lithium soaps combine a high dropping point (heat resistance), excellent water resistance, mechanical stability under shear and long grease life — a balance no single calcium, sodium or aluminum soap matches. The 12-hydroxy group adds hydrogen bonding between soap fibers, strengthening the grease network and improving high-temperature and anti-washout performance versus plain lithium stearate.
The material has low acute toxicity and is not classified as hazardous under most regulations. Use dust control, gloves and goggles, and avoid generating airborne dust. It is an industrial chemical, not a food ingredient.
