[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods, role of n-butyl stearate

Properties of butyl stearate

Butyl stearate (Butyl Stearate) is a chemical compound with the formula C22H44O2. It belongs to fatty acid esters, the appearance is colorless to light yellow transparent liquid or solid, with a slight oil odor. Its melting point is between 25°C and 30°C and its boiling point is about 344°C. Butyl stearate is insoluble in water, but soluble in a variety of organic solvents such as ethanol, ether and chloroform, with good lubricity and wettability. It also has low volatility and good chemical stability.

Butyl stearate use

Butyl stearate is widely used in many industries. In cosmetics and personal care products, it is often used as an emollient, emulsifier and thickener to provide good slip and softness. In the plastics industry, butyl stearate is used as a plasticizer to improve the flexibility and processability of plastics. Third, in lubricants and lubricating oils, butyl stearate is a commonly used additive, which can improve the lubrication effect and reduce friction and wear. In the textile industry, it acts as a softener to enhance the feel and softness of the fabric. With its unique physical and chemical properties, butyl stearate has important applications in many fields.

Upstream raw materials

The production of butyl stearate mainly depends on two key raw materials: stearic acid and n-butanol. Stearic acid is a saturated long-chain fatty acid commonly found in animal fats and vegetable oils. Industrial-grade stearic acid can be produced by hydrolyzing fats or oils. n-Butanol is a kind of alcohol compound, which is usually produced by petrochemical process or fermentation method. The esterification of stearic acid with n-butanol under the action of acidic or basic catalyst produces butyl stearate and water. This process requires control of reaction conditions to ensure high reaction efficiency and product purity.

Downstream Products

Butyl stearate, as an intermediate compound, can be further applied to the production of various downstream products. In the cosmetics industry, it is the basis of many creams, lotions, lipstick and hair care products, which can improve the texture and stability of products. In plastic processing, butyl stearate mixed with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other materials can improve the ductility and processing performance of plastics. It is also used to manufacture special lubricating oils and greases, which are used in mechanical equipment under high temperature and high pressure conditions to extend equipment life and improve work efficiency.

storage method

Storage of butyl stearate requires consideration of its physical and chemical properties. Because it has a low melting point, the storage environment should be kept at low temperature, dry and well ventilated conditions to prevent it from melting or decomposing. Butyl stearate should be stored in a closed container, avoid contact with strong oxidants and strong acids to prevent chemical reactions. The storage place should be away from fire and heat sources to prevent fire or explosion. Wear appropriate protective equipment such as gloves and goggles to prevent contact with skin and eyes during handling and handling.

market prospect analysis

Butyl stearate has a broad market prospect, benefiting from its wide application in many industries. With the growing market of cosmetics and personal care products, the demand for high quality and natural ingredients increases. As a safe and effective ingredient, the market demand for butyl stearate is expected to continue to rise. The development of plastics and lubricating oil industry also provides more opportunities for the application of butyl stearate. Especially driven by the demand for environmentally friendly plasticizers and high-performance lubricants, butyl stearate will become one of the important raw materials for these industries.

production process optimization

In order to improve the production efficiency and product quality of butyl stearate, the optimization of production process is very important. The conversion and selectivity of esterification reaction can be improved by using efficient catalyst and precise reaction control. Separation and purification processes after the reaction, such as distillation and crystallization, also need to be optimized to obtain high-purity products. The application of modern production equipment and automatic control technology can not only improve production efficiency, but also reduce energy consumption and pollutant emissions, which is in line with the development trend of green chemical industry.

Safety and environmental protection

In the production and use of butyl stearate, safety and environmental protection issues cannot be ignored. Production enterprises should strictly abide by the relevant safety regulations to ensure the safety of operators and prevent chemical leakage and fire accidents. The treatment of waste water, waste gas and waste residue should also meet environmental protection standards to prevent environmental pollution. With the increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the use of green chemical technology, such as biological esterification production of butyl stearate, will become the future direction of development.

Conclusion

Butyl stearate plays an important role in many industries such as cosmetics, plastics, lubricants and textiles due to its unique properties and diverse uses. By optimizing the production process, paying attention to safety and environmental protection and opening up the market application prospect, the industrial chain of butyl stearate will be further improved and expanded. In the future, with the technological progress and changes in market demand, the application field and market scale of butyl stearate are expected to continue to expand.