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123-95-5
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123-95-5
N-Butyl stearate, also known as butyl stearate, n-butyl stearate, butyl octadecanoate, butyl stearate, or n-butyl stearate, has the chemical formula C22H44O2, a molecular weight of 340.58, CAS number 123-95-5, EINECS 204-639-5, and InChIKey ULBTUVJTXULMLP-UHFFFAOYSA-N. It is a long-chain fatty acid butyl ester formed by the esterification reaction of stearic acid (a C18 saturated fatty acid) and n-butanol, belonging to the stearate class of compounds. It is a typical industrial and consumer-grade oily ester: at room temperature, it is a colorless to very pale yellow oily liquid (melting point approximately 20°C; below the melting point, it is a waxy solid), almost odorless or with a slight fatty odor, insoluble in water, soluble in mineral and vegetable oils, has extremely low vapor pressure, and is chemically stable. Due to the lubricating, plasticizing, moisturizing, spreading, and hydrophobic properties of long-chain fatty acid esters, butyl stearate is used in plastics processing, cosmetics, paints and inks, metal processing, textiles, leather, papermaking, and food industries. It is a lubricating plasticizer for PVC, a CIR-approved emollient in cosmetics (listed in EUCOSMETICS), and is also approved by the FDA as a food flavor enhancer, flavoring agent, formulation aid, and food contact material component.
Basic information : Chemical formula C22H44O2 (structural formula CH3(CH2)16COOC4H9, i.e., an ester of stearic acid C17H35COOH and butanol C4H9OH); molecular weight 340.58; CAS number 123-95-5; EINECS 204-639-5; aliases: butyl stearate, butyl stearate, n-butyl stearate, butyl octadecanoate, butyl stearate, n-butyl stearate, butyl stearate, etc.
Structurally , butyl stearate is composed of an 18-carbon saturated stearic acid chain and a 4-carbon butyl group connected by an ester bond (-COO-): one end is a long-chain hydrocarbon (hydrophobic and flexible), and the other end is a short butyl ester (lower melting point and improve compatibility), making it a flexible linear molecule as a whole.
Physically , butyl stearate is a colorless or very pale yellow liquid (above 20°C), and a waxy solid below its melting point. It is almost odorless or has a slight fatty odor (melting point approximately 19.5-27°C); boiling point approximately 343°C (760 mmHg, 220-225°C @ 25 mmHg); flash point approximately 160°C (closed cup); autoignition temperature approximately 355°C; density approximately 0.855 g/cm³ (25°C, 0.854-0.875); extremely low vapor pressure (approximately 5.8 × 10⁻⁶ mmHg @ 25°C), and almost non-volatile at room temperature; water solubility approximately 0.29% (25°C), almost insoluble in water, soluble in ethanol, ether, mineral oil, and vegetable oil; refractive index approximately 1.4328 (50°C); HLB value approximately 11 (oil/water emulsion); chemically stable, and does not easily deteriorate during long-term storage.
Chemically , butyl stearate is a saturated fatty acid ester (without carbon-carbon double bonds in the molecule, stable to oxygen and light, and not easily rancid or oxidized): the ester bond (-COO-) can undergo hydrolysis (slow hydrolysis back to stearic acid and butanol under acidic or alkaline conditions), saponification, and alcoholysis reactions, and is chemically inert under neutral conditions; the long-chain hydrocarbon portion provides strong hydrophobicity and lubricity, while the ester group provides a certain degree of polarity, making it compatible with mineral oils, vegetable oils, waxes, and most organic solvents, and also with polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC); its low melting point and low glass transition contribute to its flexibility and low-temperature performance; its molecular structure is regular, non-toxic, and odorless, and its safety has been assessed and approved by the cosmetics and food industries.
Grading System : Butyl stearate is classified into several grades according to purity and application: Industrial grade (large-scale applications such as plasticizers, metal processing, textile oils, and mold release agents); Cosmetic grade (used as emollients and formulation aids, meeting cosmetic raw material specifications); Food grade (used as flavor enhancers, seasonings, formulation aids, and components of food contact materials, meeting relevant FDA regulations); Research/Analytical grade (used as solvents, standards, and laboratory reagents). This is a comprehensive version, and the applications of all the above grades are elaborated below.
Why does butyl stearate play these roles in industrial, daily chemical, and food industries? Its mechanism of action mainly includes the following:
Lubrication film formation mechanism : Long-chain fatty acid ester molecules can be oriented to form a continuous lubricating film on the surfaces of metals, fibers, plastics and leather, reducing the coefficient of friction, wear and adhesion. This is the basis for its use as a lubricant in metal processing, textile oil, sewing machine oil and release agent.
Plasticizing mechanism : Flexible linear molecules insert between polymer (especially PVC) molecular chains, increasing the interchain spacing, weakening the interchain forces, and lowering the glass transition temperature, making rigid plastics more flexible; its low melting point also endows the products with excellent low-temperature performance and cold resistance, making it a typical lubricating plasticizer.
Moisturizing and spreading mechanism : It forms a smooth, breathable, and non-greasy oil film on the surface of skin and hair, locking in moisture and reducing moisture evaporation. At the same time, it has good extensibility and spreadability, making cosmetics easy to apply evenly and bringing a silky feel to the skin. This is the core mechanism of its use as a cosmetic moisturizer and formulation aid.
Leveling and slipping mechanism : As a low surface tension component, it can be added to coatings, inks and paper coatings to reduce the surface tension of the coating film, improve leveling and give the surface a smooth feel and slipping effect, while helping pigment dispersion and inhibiting floating color and mottling.
Hydrophobic and flavor mechanism : Saturated long-chain hydrocarbons impart strong hydrophobicity, providing waterproof, moisture-proof, and non-stick effects after film formation, and can be used in polishing waxes, food packaging coatings, and release systems; at the same time, its mild fat-fruit aroma characteristics make it suitable as a food flavor enhancer and flavoring agent, and ester structures are common flavor-contributing groups in food flavorings.
Corresponding products: PVC wire and cable materials, artificial leather, floor coverings, hoses, raincoats, shower curtains, films, shoe materials, toys, sealing strips, calendered products, etc.
Why it works for this purpose: Butyl stearate is a typical lubricating plasticizer. Its flexible long chains insert between PVC molecular chains, lowering the glass transition temperature and making the product more flexible. When used in conjunction with main plasticizers (such as DOP/DINP), it can improve processing lubrication and reduce roller sticking. Its low melting point gives the product excellent cold resistance and low-temperature flexibility, while reducing the viscosity of the system, which is beneficial for calendering and extrusion.
Corresponding products: lipsticks, lip balms, foundations, pressed powders, sunscreens, lotions, face creams, hand creams, body lotions, conditioners, hair oils, shaving creams, makeup removers, baby care products, etc.
Why it can be used for this purpose: Butyl stearate is a CIR-approved emollient and formulation aid that forms a smooth, non-greasy oil film on the skin and hair surface, locks in moisture and provides a silky spread, making makeup easy to apply evenly and powder adhere naturally. It also improves the skin feel and spreadability of the formula and is a common oily component in lipsticks, foundations and skin care products.
Corresponding products: industrial paints, wood coatings, clear varnishes, screen printing inks, gravure inks, offset printing inks, inkjet inks, varnishes, powder coating additives, paint additives, etc.
Why it can be used in this application: As a low surface tension additive, butyl stearate is added to coating and ink systems to improve the leveling and surface smoothness of the coating film, impart slip and anti-blocking effects, help pigment wetting and dispersion, inhibit floating color and blooming, and at the same time provide flexibility and gloss. It is a commonly used component in paints and inks that takes into account both leveling and slip.
Corresponding products: cutting fluid, stamping forming oil, drawing oil, tapping oil, rolling oil, grinding fluid, metal rust inhibitor, drawing lubricant, machining oil, etc.
Why it can be used in this application: Butyl stearate forms a strong and tough lubricating film on the metal surface, which significantly reduces friction and wear between the tool and the workpiece, reduces tool sticking and scratches, and provides boundary lubrication in heavy-duty forming processes such as stamping, stretching and drawing. At the same time, it is easy to clean and does not leave residues, making it an important lubricating component of metalworking fluids and forming oils.
Corresponding products: chemical fiber spinning oil, yarn lubricant, knitting oil, weaving oil, sewing thread treatment agent, finishing softener, fiber antistatic components, etc.
Why it can be used for this purpose: Butyl stearate forms a uniform oil film on the surface of fibers and yarns, reducing friction between yarns and machine parts, and between yarns, reducing breakage and fuzz, improving weaving efficiency, and giving fibers a soft and smooth feel. It is a commonly used oiling component in spinning, weaving and finishing processes.
Corresponding products: household sewing machine oil, industrial sewing machine oil, overlock machine oil, special lubricant for sewing machines, lubricating grease for light industrial machinery, lubricant for food machinery, etc.
Why it works for this purpose: Butyl stearate has moderate viscosity, extremely low volatility, does not corrode metals or stain fabrics, and can form a long-lasting lubricating film in precision parts such as sewing machine needle bars and bobbins, making the stitches smooth, reducing skipped stitches and thread breakage, while being clean and odorless. It is one of the most common ingredients in household and industrial sewing machine oils.
Corresponding products: tires, seals, hoses, rubber shoes, rubber mats, conveyor belts, miscellaneous rubber parts, rubber release agents, rubber lubricants, etc.
Why it can be used in this application: Butyl stearate acts as a lubricant and release agent in the rubber compounding and molding process, reducing the adhesion between the rubber compound and the rollers and molds, improving the release properties, improving the flowability of the rubber compound, and helping to disperse fillers. Its low volatility avoids the generation of bubbles and contamination during the vulcanization process.
Corresponding products: leather fatliquoring agents, shoe polish, leather garment care oil, sofa care agents, leather brighteners, leather waterproofing agents, leather softeners, etc.
Why it works for this purpose: Butyl stearate penetrates into the leather fibers as a fatliquoring component, making the leather soft, full, and elastic, reducing creases and cracks, while forming a hydrophobic protective film on its surface, enhancing water resistance and luster. It is a commonly used oily component in leather fatliquoring and care products.
Matching products: coated paper, coated paper, white cardboard, paper cup paper, label paper, release paper, coating for packaging paper, coating for printing paper, etc.
Usefulness in this application: Butyl stearate is used as a lubricant in paper coating formulations to improve the rheological properties and levelling of the coating on the doctor blade and on the paper surface, to reduce scratches, to give the coating a smooth and glossy surface and good printability, and to prevent the coating from becoming sticky and powdery.
Corresponding products: floor wax, car wax, furniture wax, shoe wax, stone polishing wax, metal polish, wood polish, leather shine, etc.
Why it can be used for this purpose: Butyl stearate has good compatibility with waxes, which can improve the gloss and uniformity of the wax film, reduce the brittleness of the wax film, make the polished surface bright and smooth and less prone to dust accumulation, and at the same time provide a certain degree of waterproof and stain-resistant effect. It is a common component of liquid and paste polishing waxes.
Corresponding products: concrete release agent, plastic product release agent, rubber release agent, die casting release agent, fiberglass release agent, foamed product release agent, mold anti-sticking agent, etc.
Why it can be used in this application: Butyl stearate forms a continuous hydrophobic lubricating film on the mold surface, making it easy to separate concrete, plastic, rubber and other products from the mold, reducing sticking, tearing and surface defects. Its water-resistant, non-corrosive and easy-to-clean properties are suitable for concrete and plastic molding and other applications.
Equivalent products: Flavourings for food, Flavour enhancers, Seasoning aids, Formulation aids, Flavourings for beverages, Flavourings for confectionary, Flavourings for baking, Flavourings for oils etc.
Why it can be used for this purpose: Butyl stearate has been approved by the FDA as a flavour enhancer, flavouring agent, and formulation aid in food. Its mild fat-fruit flavour characteristics may improve the oiliness and milky aroma, round out the overall flavour and serve as a flavour carrier to help disperse the oil-soluble flavour components. It can be used for food flavouring in permitted limits.
Corresponding products: food packaging paper coating, paper cup inner wall coating, food packaging film additives, food container inner wall coating, food transport packaging coating, food packaging adhesive additives, etc.
Why it can be used for this purpose: Butyl stearate is a component listed in the FDA's Food Contact Substances List (21 CFR). In food packaging materials, it is used as a coating lubricant and additive to help the coating level, impart water and oil repellency, and prevent sticking, so that the packaging paper and film remain safe and functional when in contact with food. Its use should comply with the relevant migration limits.
Corresponding products: industrial gear oil additives, hydraulic oil additives, guide rail oil, chain oil, rust inhibitor additives, grease components, friction reducers, oiliness agents, etc.
Why it can be used in this application: Butyl stearate is added to lubricating oils and greases as an oiliness agent and friction reducer. Its long-chain molecules adsorb onto the metal surface to form a strong oil film, which significantly reduces the coefficient of friction and improves lubrication performance under medium and low temperature and low load conditions. At the same time, it improves the rust prevention and wear resistance of the oil. It is a green and environmentally friendly lubricating additive.
N-Butyl stearate (CAS 123-95-5) is a long-chain fatty acid ester formed by the esterification of stearic acid and butanol. Its core strength lies in the lubricating and hydrophobic properties of the long-chain hydrocarbon and the compatibility of the ester group, serving numerous fields including plastics, daily chemicals, industry, and food. It is a lubricating plasticizer for PVC, an approved emollient in cosmetics, and a general-purpose lubricant in metal processing, textiles, sewing, rubber, leather, papermaking, polishing, and mold release. It is also approved for use in food flavoring and food contact packaging materials. Understanding its molecular structure of "one long chain + one short ester group" explains why it can simultaneously lubricate, plasticize, moisturize, and waterproof—this is precisely why it spans more than ten niche applications, becoming a dual-use oily ester for both industrial and daily use.
