What is Sorbitan Tristearate and how does it compare across the sorbitan-ester series?
Sorbitan tristearate (CAS 26658-19-5, C60H114O8) carries three stearate esters on the sorbitan ring, making it the most lipophilic, lowest-HLB member of the sorbitan-ester family. It is used as a low-HLB W/O emulsifier and co-emulsifier, contrasting with the single-ester grades (laurate, stearate, oleate). Bulk quantities are sourced to specification.
SORBITAN TRISTEARATE- ▸ Emulsifier: Stabilizes emulsions in food, cosmetic, and industrial formulations.
- ▸ Crystallization modifier: Controls fat crystallization in confectionery and fat blends.
- ▸ Dispersing agent: Disperses pigments and additives, including in plastics.
- ▸ Co-surfactant: Functions as a low-HLB nonionic surfactant in oil-phase systems.
| Grade | Fatty acid | Ester | CAS No. | Mol. formula | Mol. wt (g/mol) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorbitan Laurate | Lauric (C12) | Mono | 1338-39-2 | C18H34O6 | 346.5 |
| Sorbitan Monostearate | Stearic (C18) | Mono | 1338-41-6 | C24H46O6 | 430.6 |
| Sorbitan Oleate | Oleic (C18:1) | Mono | 1338-43-8 | C24H44O6 | 428.6 |
| Sorbitan Isostearate | Isostearic (C18) | Mono | 71902-01-7 | C24H46O6 | 430.6 |
| Sorbitan Tristearate you are here | Stearic (C18) | Tri | 26658-19-5 | C60H114O8 | 963.5 |
How to choose: These are the non-ethoxylated, lipophilic (low-HLB) sorbitan fatty-acid esters — the W/O counterparts to the water-soluble polysorbates. The mono-esters (laurate, stearate, oleate, isostearate) act as W/O emulsifiers, co-emulsifiers and dispersants; ethoxylating each one gives its matching polysorbate (sorbitan laurate gives Polysorbate 20, sorbitan oleate gives Polysorbate 80). The tri-ester (tristearate) is the most lipophilic, lowest-HLB member. Pairing a low-HLB sorbitan ester with a high-HLB polysorbate is the standard route to a stable emulsion at a target HLB.
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A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →Sorbitan tristearate (CAS 26658-19-5) is a nonionic triester of sorbitol and stearic acid. It is used as an emulsifier and dispersing agent, including as a crystallization modifier in fat-based systems and an emulsifier additive in plastics.
Applications of Sorbitan Tristearate
| Sector | Use |
|---|---|
| Food & beverage | A strongly lipophilic W/O emulsifier and fat-crystallization / bloom-control agent (E492) in chocolate, confectionery and bakery. |
| Personal care & cosmetics | A consistency factor and W/O co-emulsifier for rich anhydrous and oil-continuous formulations. |
| Industrial | Emulsifier and lubricant additive for oil-continuous systems. |
HLB and grade selection
Sorbitan Tristearate has an HLB of ~2.1, so it is lipophilic and oil-soluble and favours water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. It is the oil-soluble partner to a hydrophilic polysorbate: pairing it with Polysorbate 65 (HLB ~10.5) lets you set a target system HLB for a stable emulsion, and it also serves as a consistency factor and dispersant. Grades range from multicompendial pharmaceutical (NF / USP / EP) and food (FCC) to technical/industrial, with kosher and halal certification available; match the grade and compendial status to your application and jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sorbitan tristearate do?
Sorbitan tristearate (CAS 26658-19-5) is a nonionic triester of sorbitol and stearic acid used as an emulsifier and dispersing agent. It is notably a crystallization modifier that controls fat crystallization in confectionery and fat blends, disperses pigments and additives including in plastics, and functions as a low-HLB co-surfactant in oil-phase systems.
Is sorbitan tristearate the same as sorbitol?
No. Sorbitol is the sugar alcohol; sorbitan tristearate (CAS 26658-19-5) is the triester formed from sorbitan (a dehydration product of sorbitol) and three stearic acid chains. The triester is a nonionic surfactant, not a sweetener or polyol.
What is sorbitan tristearate made from?
It is produced by esterifying sorbitol/sorbitan with stearic acid (a C18 fatty acid), yielding the triester C60H114O8 (CAS 26658-19-5). It is the most lipophilic, lowest-HLB member of the sorbitan ester family, which is why it is favored as a fat-crystallization modifier. Each lot ships with a CoA.
What is the HLB of sorbitan tristearate and what emulsions does it suit?
Sorbitan tristearate is a very low-HLB nonionic surfactant, suiting it to water-in-oil emulsions and to roles like crystallization control and pigment dispersion rather than aqueous foaming. Refer to the technical data sheet for the HLB value.
What is the cost of bulk sorbitan tristearate?
Bulk pricing depends on grade, order volume, and packaging. Submit a bulk RFQ with quantity and delivery point and we will return a current quote with Certificate of Analysis and SDS.