Cerium stearate
Cerium stearate is a chemical compound consisting of cerium, a rare earth metal, and stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid commonly found in animal and vegetable fats. The compound is known for its use as a stabilizer and anti-oxidant in plastics and rubbers, enhancing the materials' heat and light stability. Cerium stearate is part of a broader category of metal soaps, which are metal salts of fatty acids.
Properties[edit | edit source]
Cerium stearate is characterized by its white to slightly yellowish appearance. It is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. This compound exhibits excellent thermal stability and is used to improve the heat resistance of various polymers. Its effectiveness as a stabilizer is attributed to the cerium ion's ability to scavenge free radicals, thereby preventing the oxidative degradation of polymers.
Applications[edit | edit source]
The primary application of Cerium stearate is in the plastics and rubber industry, where it serves as a heat stabilizer and anti-oxidant. It is particularly useful in the manufacturing of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and other halogen-containing polymers, where it helps in preventing dehydrochlorination and discoloration caused by heat and light exposure. Additionally, cerium stearate is used in the production of certain lubricants and greases, where its properties help in improving thermal stability and performance under high temperatures.
Environmental and Health Aspects[edit | edit source]
While cerium stearate is considered to be of low toxicity, handling and use of the compound should be done with care. Proper protective equipment should be worn to avoid inhalation and skin contact. The environmental impact of cerium stearate is minimal when used and disposed of properly. However, as with all chemical compounds, responsible use and disposal practices should be followed to minimize any potential environmental harm.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
