The sodium salt of oleic acid, which is present in many natural fats and oils. It functions as a binder, anticaking agent and an emulsifier, particularly in soap. It also acts as a foam stabilizer and a mild cleansing agent. Oleic acid is a natural component of vegetable and animal fats and may be responsible for the hypotensive effects of olive oil.
Sodium oleate forms a white powder with a slight tallowlike odor and sinks in water. It has a weak bitter alkaline taste and gives a basic aqueous solution upon dissolving. It is soluble in alcohol and combusts upon exposure to heat. The solubility of sodium oleate depends on the temperature. It dissolves much more readily in hot water than in cold.
It is a good solvent for oils and fatty acids, but is ineffective with mineral acids and bases. It is used for preparing Turkey red oil, soft soap and other oleates; in the manufacture of polishing compounds; in oil-based cosmetics as a thickening agent; for the lubrication of machinery and equipment, in pharmaceuticals (solvent) and for driers.
Sodium oleate has beneficial effects in the dry grinding of quartz, reducing both energy consumption and the particle size distribution of the product. It is able to adsorb onto the outer surface of the grains and the crack surfaces of the grain cracks, as well as the grinding element surfaces and the mill lining. It decreases the abrasive force between the particles and reduces the failure resistance of the grains by preventing the reclosure of cracks in the grain.