4-412: Soap scum or lime soap is the white solid composed of calcium stearate , magnesium stearate , and similar alkaline earth metal derivatives of fatty acids. These materials result from the addition of soap and other anionic surfactants to hard water . Hard water contains calcium and magnesium ions, which react with the surfactant anion to give these metallic or lime soaps. In this reaction,
8-453: A calcium soap . The salt is a component of some lubricants , surfactants , as well as many foodstuffs. It is a white waxy powder. Calcium stearate is produced by heating stearic acid and calcium oxide : It is also the main component of soap scum , a white solid that forms when soap is mixed with hard water . Unlike soaps containing sodium and potassium, calcium stearate is insoluble in water and does not lather well. Commercially it
12-404: Is sold as a 50% dispersion in water or as a spray dried powder. As a food additive it is known by the generic E number E470. 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. Related applications exist for
16-402: The sodium cation in soap is replaced by calcium to form calcium stearate . Lime soaps build deposits on fibres, washing machines, and sinks. Synthetic surfactants are less susceptible to the effects of hard water. Most detergents contain builders that prevent the formation of lime soaps. Calcium stearate Calcium stearate is a carboxylate salt of calcium , classified as
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