What role does barium stearate play?

Barium Stearate is a white or slightly yellow powder that is insoluble in water and has some lubricity and thermal stability. 

Function and effect

Heat stabilizer: Prevents material decomposition during high temperature processing, especially for PVC.

Lubricant: Reduces friction and improves material processing performance.

Water repellent: hydrophobicity makes it useful for moisture treatment.

Thickeners: Increase consistency in certain greases.

Catalysts or additives: play an auxiliary role in specific chemical reactions.

Fields of application

Plastics industry: Mainly used as heat stabilizer for PVC, especially in transparent or semi-transparent products (e.g. films, hoses), compounded with other stabilizers (e.g. lead or zinc salts).

Grease manufacturing: used as thickener in high temperature grease to enhance heat resistance and stability.

Rubber industry: used as lubricant and processing aid to improve the fluidity of rubber.

Coatings and printing ink: used as dispersant or smoothing agent to enhance the smoothness and weather resistance of the coating.

Others: Small amount of applications in textile waterproof treatment or synthesis of certain specialty chemicals.

Usage and Precautions

How to use: Add to raw materials in powder form and mix proportionally according to application. The amount added varies depending on the application:

PVC processing: generally 0.5%-2% of the formula, through the mixer and resin evenly mixed, often with other stabilizers.

Grease: add high amount (5%-15%), through high temperature mixing and base oil fusion.

Rubber: add as needed (about 1%-3%), mix with rubber.

Coatings: add in small amount (about 0.5%-2%), and disperse in the base material through stirring.

Precautions:

Safety: When using them, it is necessary to comply with safety norms, avoid inhaling dust or contacting with skin, especially not to be used in food, medicine or cosmetics.

Compatibility: It is often compounded with zinc or calcium stearate in PVC to balance the initial and long-term thermal stability.

Storage: Store in sealed containers to avoid moisture or high temperature decomposition.

Regulatory Restrictions: In some countries and regions (e.g., EU REACH), the use of barium compounds is strictly controlled and compliance needs to be confirmed.