Sodium stearyl sulfate

Sodium stearyl sulfate (CAS 1120-04-3), also known as sodium octadecyl sulfate, is an anionic surfactant derived from stearyl alcohol. It functions as an emulsifier, dispersant, and foam-control agent across a broad range of industrial and consumer-facing formulations.

In personal care and cosmetics, it acts as a primary or co-surfactant in cleansing products, shampoos, and skin-conditioning formulations where controlled lather and emulsification are required.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers use it as an excipient in tablet coatings and topical preparations to improve active ingredient dispersion and wetting. This ensures consistent delivery of the active components in various medical applications.

In textile and paper processing, it supports fiber wetting, dye dispersion, and surface treatment operations where uniform penetration is critical to end-product quality. This helps maintain high standards in manufacturing.

Printing and packaging applications leverage its dispersing properties to stabilize pigment suspensions and improve ink adhesion on treated substrates. This versatility makes it a staple in industrial chemical inventories.

Sodium stearyl sulfate is supplied as a white to off-white powder or waxy solid. It is available in technical and cosmetic-grade specifications, with purity levels typically ranging from 90% to 99% depending on the application.

Pharmaceutical-grade material conforming to USP or Ph.Eur. standards is also commercially available for regulated manufacturing environments. These high-quality grades ensure compliance with strict safety and efficacy protocols.