Calcium stearate is a waxy material with low solubility in water, unlike traditional sodium and potassium soaps. It is also easy and cheap to produce and exhibits low toxicity. These attributes are the basis of many of its applications. Calcium stearate is used as a flow agent and surface conditioner in some candies such as Smarties, jawbreakers, and Sprees. It is a waterproofing agent for fabrics. A lubricant in pencils and crayons. The concrete industry uses calcium stearate for efflorescence control of cementitious products used in the production of concrete masonry units i.e. paver and block, as well as waterproofing. In paper production, calcium stearate is used as a lubricant to provide good gloss, preventing dusting and fold cracking in paper and paperboard making. In plastics, it can act as an acid scavenger or neutralizer, a lubricant, and a release agent. It may be used in plastic colorant concentrates to improve pigment wetting. In rigid PVC, it can accelerate fusion, improve flow, and reduce die swell. Applications in the personal care and pharmaceutical industry include tablet mold release, anti-tack agent, and gelling agent. Calcium stearate is a component in some types of defoamers. Anticaking agent.
