Food Grade 98% Erucamide 112-84-5

1. Product Overview

Erucamide (cis-13-docosenamide; CAS 112-84-5) is a primary fatty amide derived from erucic acid — a long-chain (C22) unsaturated amide used above all as a slip and antiblock additive in the plastics industry. When compounded into polyolefin films, it migrates to the film surface and forms a microscopic lubricating layer that sharply reduces the coefficient of friction (COF), giving film the easy slip and easy-opening character required by high-speed packaging lines. Its low volatility and high thermal stability make it the standard slip agent for polyolefin packaging films, plus a building block in anti-adhesive, release and lubricant formulations. Supplied as white to beige flakes or beads with a characteristic fatty odor, with full COA.

Core value propositions:

● Benchmark Slip Agent: reduces film COF for fast, reliable high-speed packaging;

● Low Volatility, High Stability: performs at elevated extrusion temperatures with low plate-out;

● Migratory Surface Lubricant: forms a durable micro-layer without bulk-film changes;

● Broad Formulation Use: films, anti-adhesive/release systems, lubricants and more.

2. Product Information (Quick Facts)

3. Chemistry & Structure

Erucamide is a primary fatty amide: a 22-carbon monounsaturated chain (docosenoic acid skeleton) ending in a carboxamide group (−CONH₂), with the double bond at the 13-position in the cis (Z) configuration — structure CH₃(CH₂)₇CH=CH(CH₂)₁₁CONH₂. The molecule is amphiphilic in character: the amide head group is polar and capable of hydrogen bonding, while the long alkyl tail is strongly hydrophobic, giving a high logP of about 8. This two-faced architecture is the basis of its function: when the amide is blended into a polyolefin and the film cools, erucamide molecules migrate toward the film surface, where the polar amide heads anchor at the surface while the hydrocarbon tails orient outward, creating a thin, molecularly smooth lubricating layer that lowers the coefficient of friction. The cis double bond in the chain prevents tight crystal packing, which keeps the amide mobile and surface-active at use temperatures, while the hydrogen-bonded amide groups give the material a sharp melting point near 80 °C. As a longer-chain (C22) relative of C18 fatty amides, erucamide combines low volatility, thermal stability and a slow, controlled migration rate — the property profile that makes it the workhorse slip agent of the polyolefin film industry.

4. Key Features & Benefits

● Effective COF reduction: lowers film-to-film and film-to-metal friction at low loadings.

● Low volatility: stable at high extrusion/processing temperatures with minimal plate-out.

● Controlled migration: forms a durable surface layer over time for sustained slip.

● Food-contact suitability: food-contact packaging grades for film and adhesive systems.

● Good clarity: refined grades minimize haze in transparent packaging films.

● Multifunctional: slip, antiblock-assist, anti-adhesive and release behavior in one additive.

● Consistent quality: assay, amide content, acid value and color controlled per batch.

5. Main Applications

5.1 Polyolefin Film Slip Agent (Core Application)

Erucamide is the benchmark migratory slip additive for polyolefin film manufacture:

● Slip films: added to LLDPE, LDPE, HDPE and PP films to lower coefficient of friction.

● High-speed packaging: enables fast bag making, filling and sealing on automated lines.

● Easy-open and antiblock-assist: improves film handling, stacking and unwinding.

● Blown and cast films: consistent slip development in both film processes.

5.2 Food-Contact Packaging & Film Converting

Its low odor, low volatility and approved-for-food-contact profile suit packaging uses:

● Food packaging films: slip control in bags, pouches, liners and wrapping film.

● Food-packaging adhesives: additive for adhesives used in food-contact packaging structures.

● Converting operations: reduces friction during lamination, printing and slitting.

● Analytical verification: reference standard for GC/MS determination of fatty acid amides in polyethylene packaging film.

5.3 Anti-Adhesive & Release Systems

The surface-active amide contributes anti-blocking and release character:

● Anti-adhesive formulations: reduces blocking and sticking between film layers and surfaces.

● Release effect: eases separation of films, sheets and molded parts in handling and use.

● Surface modifiers: low-friction top-layer behavior for industrial film applications.

5.4 Lubricants & Friction-Modifying Additives

Erucamide acts as a solid lubricant-type additive in lubricant systems:

● Lubricant additive: lowers friction coefficient of formulated lubricants and coatings.

● Film handling aids: makes films easier to handle and process on machinery.

● Industrial process lubricants: boundary-lubrication contribution in speciality systems.

5.5 Specialty Plastics Additives & Composites

Beyond slip, erucamide functions as a process and property additive in plastics:

● Plastic additive: internal/external lubricant in plastics compounding.

● Degradable flame-retardant composites: component in natural-mineral-modified degradable polymer flame-retardant composite materials.

● Polymer processing aid: improves mold release and surface quality in parts production.

5.6 Cosmetics & Biomedical Research

The amide's mild surface behavior and bioactivity open niche uses:

● Cosmetics functions: viscosity-controlling and opacifying (pearlescent/clouding) agent in personal-care formulations.

● Metabolite research: erucamide is an endogenous fatty acid amide studied as a mammalian and human metabolite.

● Bioactivity research: investigated for acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting and behavioral effects in laboratory studies.

6. Packaging, Storage

Packaging (customizable):

● Standard: 25 kg woven bags with PE liner, or 20 kg cartons; .

Storage:

● Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area (2–8 °C recommended for long-term stability);

● Keep containers tightly closed and protected from moisture, heat and strong oxidizing agents;

● Avoid prolonged exposure to light and high humidity;

● Recommended shelf life under proper storage: check COA

7. Why Choose Jinan Future Chemical Co., Ltd.?

● Factory-direct supply: own sourcing and distribution capability, transparent pricing, no middleman markup.

● Stable quality: every batch tested (assay, amide content, acid value, color), COA with every shipment.

● Fast response: quotations and technical support; small trial orders accepted.

8. FAQ

Q1: What is erucamide used for?

Erucamide is a primary fatty amide used mainly as a migratory slip additive in polyolefin films (LLDPE, LDPE, HDPE, PP) to lower the coefficient of friction for high-speed packaging and easy film handling. It is also used in anti-adhesive/release systems, as a lubricant and friction-modifying additive, in specialty plastics and flame-retardant composites, in food-contact packaging films and adhesives, and in cosmetics for viscosity control and opacifying.

Q2: How does erucamide reduce the coefficient of friction?

Erucamide is a migratory additive: after compounding into the polymer, its small molecules slowly diffuse to the film surface, where the polar amide heads anchor while the long hydrocarbon tails orient outward, forming a molecular-scale lubricating layer. This surface layer lowers film-to-film friction without changing the bulk film properties. Because migration takes time, slip develops progressively after extrusion — film is typically 'slip-active' within a day or so — and the low volatility of the C22 amide keeps the effect lasting and stable.

Q3: What is the difference between erucamide and oleamide?

Both are unsaturated primary fatty amide slip agents, but they differ in chain length: oleamide is C18 with the double bond at position 9, while erucamide is C22 with the double bond at position 13. Erucamide's higher molecular weight and melting point (79–81 °C vs about 68–76 °C for oleamide) give it lower volatility and better thermal stability, so it is preferred for higher-temperature processes (cast film, BOPP, extrusion coating) and for applications needing lower haze and more durable slip. Oleamide acts faster at lower temperatures; erucamide is the more robust, longer-lasting choice for demanding packaging films.