Metallic stearates are compounds of long-chain fatty acids with metals of different valencies; some metallic stearates are not soluble in water, whereas other stearates.

The most important metallic stearates, in terms of number of applications and quantities produced, are the metallic stearates of calcium, zinc, magnesium and aluminium.

Stearates of greatest commercial importance are produced from the commercial fatty acids derived from natural sources, with the predominance of those being sources containing mostly stearic acid and palmitic acids. Due to the OH-group present in the fatty acid molecule, 12- hydroxystearates are usually more soluble in polar solvents and their melting point is higher than the metal salts of mixtures of predominantly stearic and palmitic acids.

ZINC STEARATE : SPECIFICATION

CALCIUM STEARATE : SPECIFICATION

MAGNESIUM STEARATE : SPECIFICATION

Industrial Solvents

The term 'solvent' is applied to a large number of chemical substances which are used to dissolve or dilute other substances or materials. They are usually organic liquids. Many solvents are also used as chemical intermediates, fuels, and as components of a wide range of products.

Industrial solvents are often mixtures of several individual substances and can be found under a variety of trade names.

You are most likely to be exposed to solvents if you work in industries where they are used extensively. In the construction industry, for example, solvents act as carriers for surface coatings such as paints, varnishes and adhesives. The most common solvents found in construction are :

* white spirit - in paints, varnishes and cleaning products;
* xylene - in paints and adhesives;
* 1-butanol - in natural and synthetic resins, paints and lacquers.