White Spirit

White spirit, often known as mineral spirit, is a clear petroleum-based liquid that is frequently used as an organic solvent in surface painting. This material is known by different names in different industries. It is generically referred to as paint thinner, but it is also called turpentine substitute, solvent naphtha (petroleum), mineral turpentine, Varsol, and petroleum spirits.

Paints, varnishes, aerosols, wood preservatives, asphalt products, and lacquers all include white spirit as a solvent for extraction, cleaning, and degreasing purposes.

Paints, lacquers, and varnishes account for approximately 62 percent of total white spirit consumption in Western Europe. White spirit is the most extensively used solvent in the paint industry and it is often known as Solvent 402. Household uses of white spirit include: cleaning paint brushes after being used, cleaning vehicle components and equipment, igniting charcoal grills, and removing adhesive residue from non-porous surfaces.

White Spirit Applications

White spirit has several applications in different areas, such as:

  • Production of paints and varnishes;
  • Production of antimicrobial substrates for finishing wood;
  • Production of primers;
  • Cleaning specialized equipments and machine parts;
  • Degreasing metal coatings;
  • Production of polishing pastes;
  • Cleaning surfaces before painting.

Stearic acid (SA) 

Stearic acid, also known as octadecanoic acid, is a waxy, yellow-white solid that is high in long-chain fatty acids. Humans, animals, and certain plants all have it.

Stearic acid Applications

Stearic acid applications include:

  • Soap and cleaning supplies manufacturing
  • Improving the effectiveness and texture of soaps, moisturizers, and skin and hair care products, such as shampoo and hair conditioner.
  • Cosmetics and beauty goods manufacturing
  • Giving Shaving creams and lubricants a more stable texture.
  • Detergents, cleansers, and fabric softeners production.
  • Softening and shaping plastics
  • Production of candles.
  • Production of chewing gum.
  • Production of supplements and tablets.

Stearic Acid Uses and Benefits

  1. A natural cleanser and lubricant for the skin

It aids in the removal of dirt, germs, and other contaminants from the skin’s surface. Body care products with stearic acid have a creamy, waxy texture. It can keep moisture in the skin by protecting the skin’s surface from water loss and forming a waxy layer. In addition, the inclusion of SA contributes to the thicker viscosity and lubricating properties of moisturising substances like cocoa butter and shea butter.

  1. A natural surfactant

One of the really essential properties of stearic acid is its power to aid in the mixing of oil and water in formulations. Moreover, it aids in lowering the surface tension of oil, enabling it to better combine with water. This allows these two materials to be used together to fully wash away microorganisms from the skin, hair, and other areas. It may also collect oil, grime, and other pollutants that build on human skin as well as other surfaces as a surfactant.

  1. A natural emulsifier

Stearic acid is being used to keep components from separating in a variety of goods and formulae. It thickens or hardens formulas and binds components together so that they don’t separate into liquid and greasy layers. This extends the time that cosmetics, creams, conditioners, and other similar goods remain intact and usable.