Stearic Acid (Palm Stearic Flakes)

Specifications:

Botanical Name- Palm derived
Origin- USA
Extraction- Hydrolysis
Shelf life- Indefinite/5+ years
Color- White
Odor- Waxy
Acid Value- 208.7
Peroxide Value- <0.9>Non-Saponifiable
Saponification Value- 209
Iodine Value- 0.17
Melting Point- 150 degrees

Specific Notes- Stores well under most conditions, with an indefinite shelf life. Stearic acid is successfully used to thicken creams and lotions at about 2-5%.

Summary
Our Stearic Acid is 100% Palm derived, with no added chemicals, emulsifiers or other agents and is presented in the form of convenient 1/8 - 1/4 inch flakes.

Popularly used to emulsify, thicken, bind, and stabilize lotions and creams, Stearic Acid has become the number one choice for most body care manufacturers.
Stearic Acid occurs naturally in vegetable and animal fats, but has to go through a Hydrogenation process to convert it to the end product which is currently bought and sold as the Stearic Acid we have all come to know.

Hydrogenation typically refers to processes through which liquid vegetable oils are converted to solid or semi-solid fats, such as margarine. It refers to a chemical reaction in which "unsaturated" bonds between carbon atoms are "reduced" by attachment of a hydrogen atom to each carbon. The process thus results in the "saturation" of the atoms and, when carried to completion, converts unsaturated fatty acids to saturated ones. The end result is a white, waxy, natural fatty acid.

It is fairly insoluble in water but can become somewhat soluble in alcohol.

Source: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/steric.html