TCS Industries Limited (China-sourced API supplier) supplies Magnesium Stearate –- Essential Lubricant for Tablets & Capsules CAS 557-04-0 for pharmaceutical B2B procurement — COA, MSDS, and technical documentation available on request.
> Overview
| Product Name | Magnesium Stearate –- Essential Lubricant for Tablets & Capsules |
|---|---|
| Structural Formula |  |
| CAS Number | 557-04-0 |
| Molecular Formula | C36H70MgO4 |
| Molecular Weight | 591.2 g/mol |
| InChIKey | HQKMJHAJHXVSDF-UHFFFAOYSA-L |
| SMILES | Available on request where applicable |
| Appearance | White, fine, light powder with a faint characteristic odour |
| Purity / Grade | By agreed specification and batch COA |
| Storage | Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place |
Magnesium Stearate (CAS 557-04-0) is the magnesium salt of stearic acid with the formula Mg(C₁₈H₃₅O₂)₂ (MW 591.27). It is a widely used lubricant in pharmaceutical tablet and capsule manufacturing, reducing friction between compressed powder and metal tooling during tableting and encapsulation. Magnesium stearate is used in virtually all tablet formulations at concentrations of 0.25–2.0%.
TCS Industries Limited, a Hong Kong-based trading and sourcing company, supplies Magnesium Stearate in pharmaceutical (NF/Ph.Eur.) grades from vegetable and animal sources for global procurement programs.
> Applications
Tablet and capsule lubricant
Magnesium stearate is added to tablet blends immediately before compression (0.25–2.0%) and to capsule fill formulations (0.5–1.5%) to prevent sticking to punch faces, die walls, and capsule dosators. It functions through boundary lubrication — the hydrophobic stearate chains form a film on metal surfaces. Li et al. (J Pharm Sci, 2004, 93:2406–2418) studied the effect of magnesium stearate concentration and blending time on tablet hardness, dissolution, and ejection force.
Anti-adherent and glidant
Beyond lubrication, magnesium stearate serves as an anti-adherent (preventing tablet face picking and sticking) and mild glidant (improving powder flow). In cosmetics, it is used as a texturizing agent in pressed powders and foundations.
> Sourcing & Supply
TCS Industries Limited supports development, qualification and commercial purchasing discussions for Magnesium Stearate –- Essential Lubricant for Tablets & Capsules with buyers in South America, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Canada.
- Evaluation and commercial quantities: 25 kg bags for qualification; pallet for production. Vegetable-origin (palm, soy) and animal-origin (tallow) in pharmaceutical (NF/Ph.Eur.) grades available. Specify source and SSA requirement.
- Pallet quantities and production campaigns: repeat supply is coordinated against packaging, lead time, annual demand and destination-market import requirements.
> Quality & Documentation
Key specification parameters include magnesium content (4.0–5.0%), stearic acid content (≥40% of total fatty acids), palmitic acid content (sum of stearic + palmitic ≥90% per NF), loss on drying (≤6.0%), residue on ignition (10.0–16.0%), heavy metals (Pb ≤10 ppm), pH, specific surface area (SSA, 5–20 m²/g), particle size, and microbial limits. White, fine, bulky powder. Meets NF, Ph.Eur. (Magnesii stearas), and JP. COA and MSDS are standard.
> Packaging
Magnesium stearate is a fine, white, bulky powder, hydrophobic and non-hygroscopic. Standard packaging includes 25 kg multiply paper bags with PE liner, palletized. Store at room temperature in dry conditions. Shelf life is typically 24–36 months. Labels and documents are checked before dispatch.
> Pricing & MOQ
Pricing is quoted by specification, packaging and destination. Common commercial discussions use 25 kg bag/drum formats, pallet quantities and production-campaign planning; smaller samples may be reviewed for qualified formulation teams.
> Regulatory & Compounding Context
Magnesium stearate is monographed in NF (Magnesium Stearate), Ph.Eur. (Magnesii stearas), BP, and JP. Listed in the FDA IID for virtually all oral dosage forms. Approved as a food additive in the EU (E470b). GRAS in the US (21 CFR 184.1440). No special import permits.
> Alias Index
- Chemical name: Magnesium distearate
- CAS Number: 557-04-0
- Formula: Mg(C₁₈H₃₅O₂)₂ (MW 591.27)
- EU food additive: E470b
- Pharmacopoeial name: Magnesii stearas (Ph.Eur.)
- Abbreviation: MgSt
- Commercial request terms: magnesium stearate NF, vegetable origin MgSt, E470b, tablet lubricant pharma, TCS Industries Limited
> FAQ
Why does over-blending Magnesium Stearate reduce dissolution?
Excessive blending time coats drug particles with hydrophobic stearate, reducing wettability and slowing drug dissolution. The optimal blending time is typically 2–5 minutes with a low-shear blender. Validation of blending time is critical for dissolution-sensitive formulations. Conduct dissolution testing at different MgSt blending times during development.
What documents are available for Magnesium Stearate –- Essential Lubricant for Tablets & Capsules orders?
COA and MSDS are standard for commercial discussions. COO, packing list, invoice and other import-support documents can be arranged according to order scope.
Can TCS Industries Limited support Magnesium Stearate –- Essential Lubricant for Tablets & Capsules supply to South America?
Yes. We support B2B buyers in Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname, subject to route and document review.
Do you support Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Canada?
Yes. These destinations can be reviewed for project supply, import documents, packaging and logistics planning before quotation.
What specific surface area (SSA) grade should I use?
Higher SSA (10–20 m²/g) provides better lubrication at lower concentrations but greater hydrophobic effect on dissolution. Lower SSA (5–10 m²/g) requires slightly higher concentration but has less impact on dissolution. The optimal SSA depends on formulation sensitivity. Specify SSA requirement at inquiry.
Is vegetable-origin Magnesium Stearate available?
Yes. Vegetable-origin MgSt is produced from palm oil or soy oil fatty acids (hydrogenated to stearic/palmitic acid, then reacted with magnesium). It is chemically identical to animal-origin material. Vegetable origin is required for vegetarian, halal, and kosher certifications. Specify vegetable origin at inquiry.
Can you arrange samples before commercial purchasing?
Samples or evaluation quantities may be reviewed for qualified buyers after target specification, application and destination-market requirements are clarified.
How is Magnesium Stearate –- Essential Lubricant for Tablets & Capsules packaged for export?
Packaging is confirmed by quantity and material properties. Typical options include foil bags, HDPE containers, fibre drums, 25 kg bags or palletized export packaging.
Can buyer-defined specifications be reviewed?
Yes. Send the specification, methods, impurity limits and required documents. TCS can review feasibility before confirming quotation and lead time.
What payment terms are normally used?
Standard payment is 100% T/T before dispatch unless a different arrangement has been approved for an established commercial account.
What lead time should buyers expect?
Lead time depends on stock, batch size, document scope and destination. Available stock can move faster; made-to-order or pallet programs require longer planning.
Does Magnesium Stearate cause health concerns?
No. Magnesium stearate at pharmaceutical use levels (5–20 mg per tablet) is metabolized to stearic acid and magnesium — both normal dietary components. It has a long safety record as a pharmaceutical and food additive. Claims of health concerns are not supported by scientific evidence or regulatory assessments.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Evaluation and research orders (≤10 kg) are shipped with COA, MSDS, and certificate of origin. Bulk commercial orders (>10 kg) qualify for volume pricing with a full technical documentation package available on request.
> Request a Quote
If your team already has a target application, estimated quantity, destination market, or documentation requirements, send those details so the commercial response can be prepared more efficiently.