Fatty alcohols are mainly used in the production of detergents and surfactants. They are components also of cosmetics, foods, and as industrial solvents. Due to their amphipathic nature, fatty alcohols behave as nonionic surfactants. They find use as co-emulsifiers, emollients and thickeners in cosmetics and food industry.
| Lauryl Alcohol | Stearyl Alcohol | Cetyl Alcohol | Stearyl Alcohol | Behenyl Alcohol | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specifications | C10 - 1.0 Max C12 - 98 Min C14 - 2.0 Max | C12 - 0.5 Max C14 - 2.0 Max C16 - 55-65 C18 - 35-45 C20 - 2.0 Max | C12 - 0.2 Max C14 - 2.0 Max C16 - 95.0 Min C18 - 5.0 Max | C14 - 0.5 Max C16 - 5.0 Max C18 - 95.0 Min C20 - 2.0 Max C22 - 0.2 Max | C16 - 1.0 Max C18 - 40-46 C20 - 8-14 C22 - 42-48 C24 - 1.0 Max |
| Appearance | Liquid / Solid | Pastilles / Flakes / Fused | Fused / Flakes | Fused / Flakes | Flakes |
| Hydrocarbons (% BY WT) | 0.70 Max | 0.5 Max. | 0.7 Max. | 0.5 Max. | 1.0 Max. |
| Moisture (% BY WT) | 0.10 Max. | 0.10 Max. (Fused) 0.30 Max. (Flakes/Pastilles) | 0.10 Max. (Fused) : 0.15 Max. (Flakes) | 0.10 Max. (Fused): 0.15 Max. (Flakes) | 0.15 Max. |
| Acid Value | 0.05 Max. | 0.20 Max. | 0.10 Max. | 0.1 Max. | 0.1 Max. |
| Saponification Value | 0.20 Max. | 0.40 Max. | 0.20 Max. | 0.3 Max. | 0.7 Max. |
| Iodine Value | 0.20 Max | 0.25 Max. | 0.20 Max | 0.3 Max | 1.0 Max. |
| Avg. Molecular Weight | 184 – 188 | 246 - 257 | 238 - 249 | 267 - 280 | 295 - 311 |
| Hydroxyl Value | 297 – 304 | 218 - 228 | 225 - 235 | 200 - 210 | 180- 190 |
| Solidification Range (°C) | 19 – 24 | 47 - 51 | 46 - 49 | 55 - 58 | 55 - 60 |
| Flash Point (°C) | Ca. 140 | Ca. 160 | Ca 180 | Ca. 195 | Ca. 202 |
| Density (GMS/CC) @ 30 °C | 0.815 - 0.825 | 0.805 - 0.815 | 0.805 - 0.815 | 0.805 - 0.815 | 0.800 - 0.810 |
| Colour (APHA) | 10 Max. | 10 Max. | 10 Max. | 10 Max | 20 Max. |
| Boiling Range (°C) | 250 – 270 | 305 – 355 | 305 - 330 | 330 - 360 | 350 - 390 |
| Carbonyl Value (as PPM CO) | 100 Max | - | - | - | - |
