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| "Synonyms:12-Hydroxyoctadecanoic acid 12-Hydroxy stearic acid Hydrogenated castor oil fatty acid HCO Fatty Acid / HCOFA Molecular Formula:C18H36O3 Molecular Weight: 300.48 HS Code: 3823190090 Grade: Industrial grade Hazard Class:General Cargo" | |||||||||
106-14-9
bosschem
106-14-9
1. Product Overview
12-Hydroxystearic acid (12-HSA) is a hydroxylated C18 fatty acid produced by hydrogenation of castor-oil-derived ricinoleic acid — a white, flaky solid with a melting point near 78 °C. Its single structural novelty, a hydroxyl group at the 12-position, transforms an ordinary stearic acid into the most important grease-thickener feedstock on earth: saponified with lithium hydroxide, it forms the soap that thickens the world's premium lithium greases.
The same hydroxyl chemistry extends 12-HSA across cosmetics, waxes, coatings, adhesives, rubber and textiles: it acts as an emollient and cleansing agent in personal care, a high-melting wax in polishes and candles, a rheology aid in paints and hot-melt adhesives, and a rubber-processing activator. One hydroxyl group, a portfolio of premium markets.
A single acid, four core value propositions:
Grease Manufacturing:
● the key raw material of lithium, complex-lithium, calcium and barium greases — the premium thickener chemistry;
Cosmetics & Personal Care:
● an emollient, cleansing and structuring agent in skincare, deodorants and color cosmetics;
Waxes, Coatings & Adhesives:
● a high-melting wax and rheology aid for polishes, candles, paints, inks and hot-melt adhesives;
Rubber, Textiles & Specialty:
● a rubber activator, textile lubricant, silicone-grease thickener and metalworking additive.
2. Product Information (Quick Facts)
Item | Specification |
Chemical Name | 12-Hydroxystearic acid (12-HSA) |
Synonyms | 12-Hydroxyoctadecanoic acid; DL-12-Hydroxystearic acid; Hydrogenated castor-oil acid; Hydroxystearin |
CAS No. | 106-14-9 |
EC No. (EINECS) | 203-366-1 |
Molecular Formula | C₁₈H₃₆O₃ (CH₃(CH₂)₅CH(OH)(CH₂)₁₀COOH) |
Molecular Weight | 300.48 g/mol |
Appearance | White to pale-yellow flakes or crystalline powder |
Solubility | Insoluble in water; soluble in hot ethanol, ethers and chloroform |
3. Chemistry & Structure
12-HSA is a C18 saturated fatty acid carrying a hydroxyl group at carbon 12: CH₃(CH₂)₅CH(OH)(CH₂)₁₀COOH. The 12-position hydroxyl makes the molecule hydrogen-bond, raising its melting point to 76 – 80 °C (versus ≈ 69 °C for plain stearic acid) and, crucially, strengthening the soap fibers formed on saponification. Stronger fibers mean lithium greases with higher dropping points, better mechanical stability and superior water resistance — the reason 12-HSA soaps dominate high-performance grease chemistry.
Commercially, 12-HSA is produced by hydrogenating castor-oil ricinoleic acid over a nickel catalyst, then refining to grade. Grease grade serves lithium/calcium/ barium soap manufacture; cosmetic grade meets purity and heavy-metal limits for personal care; technical grade covers waxes, coatings, rubber and general use. Key parameters are acid value, hydroxyl value, iodine value, melting point and color — all documented on the COA.
4. Key Features & Benefits
● The grease-thickener standard: saponified with LiOH it forms the soap of the world's highest-performance lithium greases.
● Strong soap-fiber chemistry: the 12-hydroxyl strengthens soap fibers, raising dropping point, stability and water resistance.
● High melting point: 76 – 80 °C — higher than stearic acid, ideal for wax and structure-building applications.
● Renewable castor-oil origin: a bio-based, non-food fatty acid with stable supply.
● Multi-market versatility: one acid serving greases, cosmetics, waxes, coatings, adhesives, rubber and textiles.
5. Main Applications
5.1 Grease Manufacturing (Core Application)
12-HSA is the foundational feedstock of premium grease chemistry:
● Lithium greases: saponified with lithium hydroxide into 12-hydroxystearate soap — the standard thickener of multipurpose lithium greases;
● Complex-lithium greases: combined with dibasic-acid soaps and borates for extreme-pressure, high-temperature service;
● Calcium and barium greases: soap feedstock for water-resistant and specialty greases;
● Performance: high dropping point, mechanical stability, water resistance and long service life in finished greases.
5.2 Cosmetics & Personal Care
● Emollient and skin conditioning: soft-feel wax in creams, balms and lip products;
● Cleansing agent: mild structuring surfactant in soap and cleanser formulations;
● Deodorant and antiperspirant: structuring and skin-feel component;
● Color cosmetics: structure and pay-off in lipsticks and sticks.
5.3 Waxes, Coatings & Adhesives
● Wax blends and polishes: high-melting component of shoe polish, floor wax and car polish;
● Candles: hydrogenated-castor-oil (castor wax) hardener and crystallization modifier;
● Paints and inks: rheology and anti-settling aid;
● Hot-melt adhesives: crystallization and open-time control.
5.4 Rubber, Textiles & Specialty Applications
● Rubber industry: activator and processing aid in rubber compounding;
● Textile lubricants: fiber and yarn processing lubricant;
● Silicone greases: thickener for silicone-based greases;
● Metalworking: additive in drawing, forming and machining oils.
6. Packaging, Storage
Packaging (customizable):
● 25 kg multi-wall paper bag with PE liner, 25 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 contamination and caking;
● Store away from strong oxidizers; combustible dust — control dust generation;
● 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; small trial orders accepted.
● Export experience: familiar with sea/air shipping documentation for chemical commodities, complete paperwork support;
12-HSA is used mainly as the raw material of lithium and complex-lithium greases — it is saponified with lithium hydroxide into the soap that thickens the world's premium multipurpose greases. It is also used as an emollient and structuring agent in cosmetics, a high-melting wax in polishes and candles, a rheology aid in paints and hot-melt adhesives, and a rubber-processing activator.
Both are C18 saturated fatty acids, but 12-HSA carries a hydroxyl group at the 12-position. That hydroxyl raises the melting point (78 °C vs 69 °C) and, most importantly, strengthens the soap fibers formed during saponification. Lithium greases made from 12-HSA soaps have higher dropping points, better mechanical stability and superior water resistance — which is why 12-HSA, not stearic acid, is the standard grease-thickener feedstock.
12-HSA is the free acid — the raw material you buy and saponify in your grease reactor. Lithium 12-hydroxystearate is the finished lithium soap — the pre-formed thickener you can blend directly into base oil. If you operate a grease plant with saponification reactors, buy 12-HSA; if you want to skip saponification, buy the lithium soap. We supply both.
12-HSA has low acute toxicity and is used even in cosmetics, but the fine powder can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract and can form combustible dust. Use dust masks, gloves and goggles, avoid generating dust, and keep it away from ignition sources. It is an industrial chemical; cosmetic and food-contact use must comply with the destination market's regulations.
