Castor Oils and Castor Products

Castor oil is a natural oil obtained from the seed

of the Ricinus Communis, or castor plant. It is
unique among naturally occurring oils in that it is
the only commercially important oil composed of
approximately 90 percent of a hydroxy, unsaturated
C18 fatty acid - ricinoleic acid.
There are three technical grades: Pale Pressed
Castor Oil, obtained from the first pressing of the
castor bean; Industrial Castor Oil, obtained from
a mixture of the first pressing and the second phase
of production - solvent extraction and Neutralized
Castor Oil which has been bleached to reduce the
acid. The industrial grade is used extensively in the
manufacture of textile chemicals or as a wetting
agent for inks, coatings and adhesives. Pale
Pressed Castor Oil is lighter in color and lower in
acidity. Its applications are in industrial products
that require a better quality oil. With proper
certification, the pale oil may also be acceptable
for medicinal, pharmaceutical or cosmetic use.
Both products are available in bulk and drums.
Ricinoleic Acid (12-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid),
obtained by the hydrolysis of castor oil, is a light
colored liquid with a ricinoleic content of
approximately 90 percent. This product is most
noted for its use in coatings, plastics, personal
items, inks and cosmetics.
Ricinoleic acid is available in bulk and drums.
Blown Castor Oils are prepared by bubbling air
through the oil at elevated temperatures. This
process increases both viscosity and specific
gravity. These oils are used primarily as
plasticizers for lacquers, inks, adhesives and
leathers.
Blown Castor Oils are available in drums. Some
viscosities are available in bulk as well, by special
order.
When hydrogen is added to castor oil in the
presence of a nickel catalyst, the resultant oil,
called Hydrogenated Castor Oil, is transformed
into a hard, brittle wax with a melt point of
approximately 85 degrees Centigrade. This wax is
extremely insoluble and is therefore well suited for
products needing resistance to water, oils,
petroleum and petroleum derivatives.
Hydrogenated castor oil's main outlet is in the
manufacture of greases, but it may also be used in
a paper coating for food packaging.
The product can be available with several different
melt points, or in beaded or powdered form.
Partially hydrogenated castor oil is used in
cosmetic formulations such as lipsticks and stick
deodorants.
HCO is available in 50-pound paper bags or
2,200-pound super sacks. Partially hydrogenated
castor oil is available in fiber drums.
12 Hydroxystearic Acid is an off-white solid fatty
acid with a melt point of approximately 77 degrees
Centigrade. This product is used primarily in the
manufacture of lithium and calcium based
lubricating greases. When reacted with an ester,
12HSA provides a hard finish for the automotive
and small appliance industries.
This product is packed in 50-pound paper bags.
Hydrogenated
Castor
12
Hydrostearic
Acid
Color
Gardner
Acid
Number
Hydroxyl
Number
Iodine
Value
Sap.
Value
3 Max
4 Max
3 Max
175 Min
155 Min
150 Min
3 Max
6 Max
174-186
180 Min
Melt
Point C
82 Min
72 Min
Ricinoleic
Acid
Color
Gardner
Acid
Number
Hydroxyl
Number
Iodine
Value
Sap.
Value
8 Max 175 Min* 150 Min 80-91 180 Min
Blown Castor
Oil-Z-1
Blown Castor
Oil-Z-6
Color
Gardner
Acid
Number
Iodine
Value
4 Max
12 Max
16 Max
18 Max
69-75
56-65
Viscosity
Gardner-
Holdt/Stokes
Z-1/25-35
Z-5-6/
450-600
Blown Castor
Oil-Z-8
16 Max 18 Max 58-66 Z-8/450-600
Industrial
Castor Oil
Pale Pressed
Castor Oil
Color
Gardner
Acid
Number
% Free
Fatty
Acid
%
Moisture
&
Volatile
Insoluble
Impurities
3 Max
2 Max
Appearance
at 25 C
Hydroxyl
Value
Iodine
Value
Sap.
Value
Viscosity
at 25C
Neutralized
Castor Oil
2.5 Max
2 Max
1.50
Max
.8 Max
1.0 Max
0.75
Max
0.40
Max
0.25
Max
0.25
Max
0.25
Max
Trace
Trace
Trace
Clear
Clear
Clear
160-168
160-168
160-168
83-88
83-88
83-88
175-
185
175-
185
175-
185
6.3-8.9
6.3-8.9
6.3-8.9
Castor Oil and Castor Products
Specifications
* When manufactured