{{chembox | Verifiedfields = changed | Watchedfields = changed | verifiedrevid = 476998540 | ImageFile =Calcium stearate.png | ImageSize =250px | PIN =Calcium di(octadecanoate) | OtherNames =E470 |Section1={{Chembox Identifiers | ChemSpiderID_Ref = {{chemspidercite|correct|chemspider}} | ChemSpiderID = 14587 | ChEBI = 190296 | ChEMBL_Ref = {{ebicite|changed|EBI}} | ChEMBL = 2106092 | UNII_Ref = {{fdacite|correct|FDA}} | UNII = 776XM7047L | InChI = 1/2C18H36O2.Ca/c2*1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18(19)20;/h2*2-17H2,1H3,(H,19,20);/q;;+2/p-2 | InChIKey = CJZGTCYPCWQAJB-NUQVWONBAL | StdInChI_Ref = {{stdinchicite|correct|chemspider}} | StdInChI = 1S/2C18H36O2.Ca/c2*1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18(19)20;/h2*2-17H2,1H3,(H,19,20);/q;;+2/p-2 | StdInChIKey_Ref = {{stdinchicite|correct|chemspider}} | StdInChIKey = CJZGTCYPCWQAJB-UHFFFAOYSA-L | CASNo_Ref = {{cascite|correct|CAS}} | CASNo =1592-23-0 | PubChem =15324 | SMILES = [Ca+2].[O-]C(=O)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC.[O-]C(=O)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC }} |Section2={{Chembox Properties | C=36 | H=70 | Ca=1 | O=4 | Appearance = white to yellowish-white powder | Density = 1.08 g/cm<sup>3</sup> | MeltingPtC = 155 | MeltingPt_notes = | BoilingPt = | Solubility = 0.004 g/100 mL (15 °C) | SolubleOther = soluble in hot pyridine <br> slightly soluble in oil <br> insoluble in alcohol, ether }} |Section3={{Chembox Hazards | MainHazards = | FlashPt = | AutoignitionPt = | NFPA-H = 2 | NFPA-F = 1 | NFPA-R = 0 }} }}

'''Calcium stearate''' is a carboxylate salt of calcium, classified as a calcium soap. The salt is a component of some lubricants, surfactants, as well as many foodstuffs. It is a white waxy powder.<ref name=Nora>{{cite book|vauthors = Nora A, Szczepanek A, Koenen G|title=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry|chapter=Metallic Soaps|year=2001|doi=10.1002/14356007.a16_361|isbn=3527306730}}</ref>

==Production and occurrence== Calcium stearate is produced by heating stearic acid and calcium oxide: : 2 C<sub>17</sub>H<sub>35</sub>COOH + CaO → (C<sub>17</sub>H<sub>35</sub>COO)<sub>2</sub>Ca + H<sub>2</sub>O

It is also the main component of soap scum, a white solid that forms when soap is mixed with hard water. Unlike soaps containing sodium and potassium, calcium stearate is insoluble in water and does not lather well.<ref name=Ullmann>{{cite book |vauthors = Weingärtner H, Franck EU, Wiegand G, Dahmen N, Schwedt G, Frimmel FH, Gordalla BC, Johannsen K, Summers RS, Höll W, Jekel M, Gimbel R, Rautenbach R, Glaze WH |title=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry |chapter=Water |year=2000 |doi=10.1002/14356007.a28_001 |isbn=3527306730}}</ref> Commercially it is sold as a 50% dispersion in water or as a spray-dried powder. As a food additive, it is known by the generic E&nbsp;number E470a (sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids).

==Applications== Calcium stearate is a waxy material with low solubility in water, unlike traditional sodium and potassium soaps. It is also easy and cheap to produce, and exhibits low toxicity. These attributes are the basis of many of its applications. Related applications exist for the magnesium stearate.<ref name=Nora/> *Calcium stearate is used as a flow agent and surface conditioner in some candies such as Smarties, jawbreakers and Sprees. *It is a waterproofing agent for fabrics. *A lubricant in pencils and crayons. *A lubricant in the dry drawing method of wire production. *The concrete industry uses calcium stearate for efflorescence control of cementitious products used in the production of concrete masonry units i.e. paver and block, as well as waterproofing.<ref>[http://www.cement.org/masonry/cc_fn_preventing_efflorescence.asp Preventing Efflorescence], Portland Cement Association</ref> *In paper production, calcium stearate is used as a lubricant to provide good gloss, preventing dusting and fold cracking in paper and paperboard making.<ref>{{cite patent|country=US|number=5527383|title=Lubricant additives for paper coating compositions|pubdate=1996-06-18| assign=Henkel Corp. |inventor1-last=Flynn|inventor1-first=Gregory J. |inventor2-last=Krasniewski|inventor2-first=John M. |inventor3-last=Wilson Jr. |inventor3-first=Joseph

}}</ref> *In plastics, it can act as an acid scavenger or neutralizer at concentrations up to 1000ppm, a lubricant and a release agent. It may be used in plastic colorant concentrates to improve pigment wetting. In rigid PVC, it can accelerate fusion, improve flow, and reduce die swell. *Applications in the personal care and pharmaceutical industry include tablet mold release, anti-tack agent, and gelling agent. *Calcium stearate is a component in some types of defoamers. *Anticaking agent for drugs etc.<ref name="Lückvon Rymon Lipinski2000">{{cite book|vauthors = Lück E, von Rymon Lipinski GW|title=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry|chapter=Foods, 3. Food Additives|year=2000|doi=10.1002/14356007.a11_561|isbn=3527306730}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

{{Calcium compounds}} {{Stearates}}

Category:Calcium compounds Category:Food additives Category:Stearates