CAS:557-05-1 identifies lithium stearate, a lithium salt of stearic acid used mainly as a lubricant, thickening component, release aid, and functional additive. Its molecular formula is commonly represented as C18H35LiO2, with a molar mass of approximately 290.41 g/mol. In practical purchasing, the correct grade depends less on the CAS number alone and more on purity, moisture, particle size, residual free fatty acid, packaging, and application performance.
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At Xinshangrui, I recommend evaluating lithium stearate through a documented specification sheet, a representative sample, and a clear application review. Buyers should confirm whether they need a general industrial grade, a controlled-particle-size material, or a customized specification before comparing price and lead time. This guide explains the material, its applications, selection criteria, and the information I need to prepare a suitable quotation.
This guide is intended for industrial buyers, formulators, chemical distributors, laboratory procurement teams, and manufacturers sourcing CAS:557-05-1 lithium stearate. It is especially useful when the product will be used in lubricating grease, polymer processing, coatings, mold-release systems, or other formulations requiring a metal soap. It can also help procurement teams create a more complete request for quotation instead of asking only for a price per kilogram.
The information below is written for initial technical and commercial evaluation. Final suitability should be confirmed through the buyer’s own formulation trials, process conditions, and quality-control procedures. I use conservative language where product requirements can vary by supplier, production route, or end use.
Lithium stearate is an organometallic soap formed from lithium and stearic acid. As a fine solid, it can contribute lubricity, water-repellent behavior, release characteristics, and thickening action, depending on the formulation and processing method. Its performance is influenced by the fatty-acid profile, degree of neutralization, moisture level, particle morphology, and dispersion quality.
The CAS number is an important identity reference, but it does not define every commercial grade. Two materials carrying CAS:557-05-1 may differ in purity, physical form, packaging, analytical limits, and suitability for a particular process. For this reason, I recommend comparing the full technical data sheet and certificate of analysis rather than relying on the name or CAS number alone.
These functions should not be treated as automatic performance guarantees. The effect depends on concentration, mixing temperature, shear, compatibility with other ingredients, and the final product design. A small laboratory or pilot trial is therefore an important part of qualification.
One of the best-known uses of lithium stearate is as a component in lubricating grease formulations. It can help build a semi-solid structure when combined with a suitable base oil and processed under controlled heating and mixing conditions. The final grease properties depend on the complete formulation, so buyers should evaluate consistency, oil separation, worked penetration, dropping behavior, and mechanical stability through their own test method.
Lithium stearate may be considered where a formulation requires internal or external lubrication, mold release, or improved handling during processing. Compatibility is particularly important because excessive or poorly dispersed metal soap can affect surface appearance, bonding, printability, or downstream coating behavior. The buyer should specify the polymer type, processing temperature, dosage range, and surface requirements before selecting a grade.
Some specialty systems use fatty-acid metal soaps to adjust rheology, surface behavior, water resistance, or processing characteristics. Lithium stearate may be relevant when the formulation benefits from a lithium-based soap with controlled physical properties. However, it should be screened for interaction with pigments, solvents, resins, fillers, and curing components before commercial adoption.
A useful lithium stearate specification should cover identity, chemical quality, physical form, and packaging. I recommend asking for the CAS number, molecular formula, approximate molecular weight, appearance, assay or purity method, moisture limit, free fatty acid content, ash or inorganic residue, and any relevant insoluble matter limit. If the product is used in grease or powder processing, particle size and dispersibility may be equally important.
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| Specification Area | Why It Matters | What to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Confirms the material being purchased | CAS:557-05-1, formula, product name, identification method |
| Chemical quality | Influences formulation consistency | Assay, moisture, free fatty acid, ash, and impurity limits |
| Physical properties | Influences feeding, dispersion, and mixing | Appearance, powder flow, particle-size range, and bulk behavior |
| Packaging | Protects the material during storage and transport | Pack size, liner material, labeling, palletization, and storage instructions |
The product’s molecular weight is approximately 290.41 g/mol, but this value should not be confused with a commercial purity specification. Similarly, a stated particle-size range should only be used for purchasing decisions when the supplier explains the measurement method, such as sieve analysis or laser diffraction. I advise buyers to request a recent batch certificate and confirm whether the reported values are typical, minimum, maximum, or guaranteed limits.
Start by describing the final product and the function expected from lithium stearate. A grease manufacturer may prioritize thickening response and mechanical stability, while a plastics processor may focus on dispersion, release, and surface appearance. The same CAS number can therefore lead to different preferred specifications.
Record the mixing equipment, temperature range, shear level, addition sequence, and residence time. For example, a process operated at 120 °C may impose different handling and stability considerations than a room-temperature powder blend. The supplier should understand whether the material is fed manually, through an automated powder system, or as a pre-dispersed component.
Specify the required purity, moisture control, particle-size preference, packaging format, and shelf-life expectations. If the material will be stored for extended periods, ask for recommended storage conditions and protection from humidity. Do not assume that a standard commercial package is suitable for every production environment.
A sample trial can reveal practical issues that a data sheet cannot fully predict, including dusting, agglomeration, dispersion time, and interaction with other raw materials. I recommend recording the sample lot, test formulation, dosage, mixing conditions, and results. This creates a repeatable basis for approving future shipments.
The price of lithium stearate is affected by raw-material costs, purity requirements, production scale, packaging, testing, and order quantity. A low price may not represent the lowest total cost if the material requires additional sieving, drying, rework, or extended incoming inspection. Buyers should compare the full delivered specification rather than price alone.
Minimum order quantity and lead time depend on whether the product is a regular stock item or a made-to-order grade. A practical inquiry should include the target quantity, destination country, preferred packaging, required documents, and expected annual demand. For planning, I recommend requesting both a trial quantity and a production-scale quotation, with lead times stated separately for samples and bulk orders.
Xinshangrui supports B2B inquiries for CAS:557-05-1 lithium stearate by helping buyers organize technical requirements before quotation. I can review the intended application, requested quantity, packaging preference, destination, and documentation needs. Where a standard grade does not fully match the process, I can also help clarify which specification points should be discussed before sampling.
CAS:557-05-1 lithium stearate is a versatile lithium metal soap whose value depends on controlled quality and application fit. Its common roles include grease thickening, lubrication, release assistance, and processing modification, but final performance must be confirmed in the buyer’s formulation. The most important purchasing factors are not only identity and price, but also purity, moisture, particle behavior, packaging, batch documentation, and supplier responsiveness.
To buy lithium stearate effectively, first define the application and process conditions, then request a complete specification and batch certificate before comparing offers. Confirm the material through a representative sample and document the test results before approving regular supply. This approach reduces the risk of selecting a grade that matches the CAS number but does not match the production requirement.
For a quotation from Xinshangrui, prepare the required quantity, application, target specifications, packaging preference, destination, and document requirements. I can then help assess the appropriate supply route, sample arrangement, and commercial information for your project. Contact our Chemical Reagents team with these details to begin a focused CAS:557-05-1 lithium stearate sourcing discussion.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of CAS:557-05-1. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.