Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid with an 18-carbon chain and has the IUPAC name octadecanoic acid.It is a waxy solid, and its chemical formula is CH3(CH2)16CO2H. Its name comes from the Greek word "stéar", which means tallow.The salts and esters of stearic acid are called stearates. Stearic acid is one of the most common saturated fatty acids found in nature following palmitic acid.Stearic acid undergoes the typical reactions of saturated carboxylic acids, a notable one being reduction to stearyl alcohol,and esterification with a range of alcohols.This is used in a large range of manufactures, from simple to complex electronic devices.Stearic acid is mainly used in the production of detergents, soaps,cosmetics susch as shampoos and shaving cream products.