Stearin

Stearin /ˈstɪərɪn/, or tristearin, or glyceryl tristearate is an odourless, white powder.

Stearin is obtained from animal fats created as a byproduct of processing beef.

It can be partially purified by dry fractionation by pressing tallow or other fatty mixtures, leading to separation of the higher melting stearin-rich material from the liquid, which is typically enriched in fats derived from oleic acid.

Stearin is a side product obtained during the extraction of cod liver oil removed during the chilling process at temperatures below −5 °C.

[8] It is mixed with a sodium hydroxide solution in water, creating a reaction which gives glycerin and sodium stearate, the main ingredient in most soap: Stearin is also added to aluminium flakes to help in the grinding process in making dark aluminium powder.

Skeletal formula of stearin
Space-filling model of the tristearin molecule
Powder of stearin
NFPA 704 four-colored diamond Health 1: Exposure would cause irritation but only minor residual injury. E.g. turpentine Flammability 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g. canola oil Instability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogen Special hazards (white): no code