Magnesium Stearate

What is Magnesium Stearate?

Molecular Formula (Magnesium Stearate): C₃₆H₇₀MgO₄

Molecular Weight: 591.20 g/mol

Chemical Name: Magnesium Octadecanoate

CAS Number: 557-04-0

It is an anionic surfactant categorized among fatty acid salts. Its stability performance exhibits properties similar to Calcium Stearate.

It is used in skin applications due to its lubricating properties. In products used in the cosmetics industry, it exhibits anti-adherent properties by providing a lubricating effect.

The magnesium cation (Mg²⁺) is divalent. It is a molecule formed by the binding of 2 stearate anions to the magnesium element.

Other Names Are As Follows;

• Magnesium Distearate
• 557-04-4
• Stearic Acid, Magnesium Salt
• Magnesium Octadecanoate
• Octadecanoic Acid, Magnesium Salt
• Dibasic Form

How is Magnesium Stearate Produced?

Production of Stearic Acid Magnesium Salt is achieved by reacting sodium stearate with magnesium salts. This is one of the primary methods.

Another method involves reacting stearic acid with magnesium oxide.

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties?

Physically, it exists in several forms. It can be found in white crystalline pellet form or as a dry powder.

It is odorless or has a faint characteristic odor. It is a tasteless chemical.

The melting point is 88.50 °C.

Density: 1.1 g/cm³

Boiling Point: No information available

Solubility in water is very low. Approximately 3 mg dissolves in 100 ml of water at 15 °C. It has a solubility of 4 mg in 100 ml of water at 25 °C and 8 mg in water at 50 °C. It dissolves in hot ethyl alcohol.

What are the Usage Areas of Magnesium Stearate?

• It is used as an emulsifier and anti-adherent agent in some food applications to ensure proper mixing.
• It is an inactive diluent used in the pharmaceutical industry to dilute drugs produced in tablet and powder forms.
• In some pharmaceutical production formulas, it is used to prevent components from sticking to machines during encapsulation and tableting processes. It acts as a lubricant.
• In food applications, foaming can be prevented by using this chemical. Briefly, it is used as an anti-foaming agent (Defoamer) in food products.
• It is used as a mold release agent by providing lubrication in the manufacture of pressed candies.
• It is used in the manufacture of powders, such as baby care products.
• It contains carrier particles used in the production of dry powder inhalation (DPI) drugs. These types of drugs have active ingredients sensitive to hydrolysis; therefore, it is used in their production to inhibit the degradation of the active ingredient.
• It is used in the production of tablets containing Magnesium Carbonate. Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose and HPMC are used as binders.

What are the Factors Affecting Prices?

The price of Magnesium Stearate is directly dependent on the prices of the chemicals used in its production. When the prices of Stearic Acid and magnesium sulfate increase, the price of this chemical increases.

Selling prices have been increasing for a long time due to the expansion of its usage areas in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors.