Stearyl acrylate

Stearyl acrylate (CAS 4813-57-4), also known commercially as octadecyl acrylate, is a long-chain alkyl ester monomer used to introduce hydrophobic character and flexibility into polymer systems. Its C18 fatty chain makes it a practical building block for tailoring surface properties, film formation, and lubricity in finished materials. In coatings and adhesives, it is copolymerized with acrylic monomers.

This process improves water resistance, substrate adhesion, and low-temperature flexibility in pressure-sensitive and structural formulations. Personal care formulators incorporate it into film-forming polymers for hair fixatives. It is also utilized for skin-feel modifiers and water-repellent emulsion systems. In lubricant additive chemistry, polymerized stearyl acrylate contributes to viscosity modification and boundary lubrication performance.

These applications are vital in metalworking and industrial fluids. It also functions as a surface-modifying comonomer in specialty plastics and elastomers where controlled hydrophobicity is required. The material is effective for applications needing reduced surface energy. Stearyl acrylate is supplied as a low-melting solid or liquid depending on temperature, typically available in technical and monomer grades.

Inhibited grades containing polymerization inhibitors such as MEHQ are standard for safe storage and transport. Bulk and drum packaging are the common supply formats for industrial buyers globally.