Magnesium stearate 

Magnesium stearate is a magnesium salt of stearic acid, a fatty acid naturally present in many foods of animal and plant origin.

It is widely used in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics and plastics industries for its lubricating, anti-caking and stabilizing properties.

In the pharmaceutical industry, magnesium stearate is commonly used as a release agent in tablet manufacture. It helps prevent tablets from sticking to molds during the manufacturing process, and facilitates demolding of finished tablets.

• Appearance: Magnesium stearate is generally available as a white to slightly yellow powder.
• Solubility: Virtually insoluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol and ether.
• Melting point: Magnesium stearate has a relatively high melting point, meaning it remains solid at normal temperatures.
• Density: Its density depends on the form in which it is produced, but generally it has a relatively low density.
• Thermal stability: It is thermally stable at normal temperatures, making it suitable for a variety of manufacturing processes.
• Chemical structure: It is a salt composed of stearate (an anion derived from stearic acid) and magnesium ions.
• Lubrication: It has excellent lubrication properties.

Flash point: As a non-flammable substance, magnesium stearate has no flash point, meaning it does not ignite readily at ambient temperatures.

Chemical stability: It is generally chemically stable, but can react with strong acids to form stearic acid and magnesium chloride.

It is used in a variety of products, mainly in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics and plastics industries. Here are just a few examples of products where magnesium stearate is used:

• Pharmaceutical industry: It is used as a release agent in the manufacture of pharmaceutical tablets. Food industry: It is used as an anti-caking agent in powdered products to improve particle flow.
• Cosmetics industry: It is used in various cosmetic products, including powders, creams and lotions, to give them a smooth, stable texture.
• Plastics industry: It is used as a lubricant and anti-caking agent in the production of plastic films, sheets and other plastic products.