Metal soaps are used as processing aids in rubber applications. They increase flowability, they allow working at lower temperatures, and they have mold-release properties.
Metallic soaps are important and indispensable products used in stabilizers. They may resemble salts due to their structure consisting of long fatty acid chains. Often, these additives bind hydrochloric acid to themselves. Primarily, metal soaps, (aluminum, barium, calcium, lead, magnesium, or zinc) are soaps Produced with stearic, lauric, octanoic, or benzoic acid. Zinc soaps provide good coloring of PVC, thanks to their potential to substitute unstable chlorine atoms, producing zinc chloride as a result. These metal atoms can bind more than two chlorine atoms.
Calcium stearate is the calcium salt of stearic acid. Chemically, it is similar to the components of a hand soap that contains sodium and potassium. It is accepted as the most important calcium soap. Its importance has increased in recent years due to its solid physiology. Although it is insoluble in most of the solvents, it can be dissolved in aromatic mixtures when slightly heated. It can also be dissolved in chlorinated hydrocarbons or in vegetable and mineral oils and waxes, in the same manner.
Areas of Use
It acts as an acid retainer, a lubricant, and a release agent in plastics. It is used as a wetting pigment in plastic colorant concentrations. It accelerates the fusion process in the production of rigid plastics. It is used as a gelling agent, in the personal care and cosmetics industry, also including processes that are not tablet-molded. It is used in some types of antifoams. It provides effective glossiness and dust prevention in the production of paper and cardboard.
In the concrete and mortar industry, it is used in the production of the reinforced concrete in order to adjust the level of the product's dusting.
Calcium stearate's properties can be monitored with the aid of heat. It starts to soften between 120 and 130 degrees, whereas it achieves a constant level of viscosity in 160 degrees.
Zinc stearate is resistant to water. Zinc stearate is a zinc soap that does not allow the permeation of water. Although it is not soluble in polar solvents, such as alcohols or ethers, it is soluble in aromatic hydrocarbons, such as heated benzene and chlorinated hydrocarbons. It is the strongest mold-release agent. It has no electrolytic and hydrophobic effects. It is mainly used as a mold-release agent and a lubricant, in the plastics and rubber industry, with its quick coalescence fusion a desired feature.
Areas of Use
It creates synergy in all stabilizer systems. It is a material that provides glossiness in the paint and varnish industry. It is used as a mold-release agent in rubber, polyurethane and polyester processes. It is used as a lubricant to improve the structure of cosmetic products. It also acts as an activator in the curing process of tires made of sulfur and other accelerators.