Hydroxystearic Acid

12 HSA is an off-white solid fatty acid used to manufacture lithium and calcium based lubricating greases. When reacted with an ester, 12 HSA provides a hard finish for the automotive and small appliance industries.
Production Process:
12-Hydroxy Stearic Acid is a waxy hydroxyl fatty acid. The source for the production of 12-hydroxy stearic acid is castor oil which contains up to 85% ricinoleic acid in the form of triglycerides. To produce 12-HSA, castor oil is subjected to hydrogenation, and as a result of it, the ricinoleic acid gets saturated at the place of the double bond and transforms into 12- hydroxyl stearic acid. This process is carried out at room temperature under a pressure of 40 psi with alcohol as a solvent.