| Examples of Lithium salts of fatty acids |
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Lithium soap is asoap consisting of alithium salt of afatty acid.[1][2] Sodium-based and potassium-based soaps are used as cleaning agents in domestic and industrial applications, whereas lithium soaps are used as components of lithium grease (white lithium).
Lithium soaps are produced bysaponification of triglycerides, usinglithium hydroxide orlithium carbonate as the saponification agent. Lithium soaps are used aslubricant components and form-release agents at relatively high temperatures.[3] The main components of lithium soaps arelithium stearate andlithium 12-hydroxystearate.[4]
Lubricating greases are commonly formulated as mixtures of an oil and a lithium soap thickener.[5] Some formulations includePTFE or other substances, such asmolybdenum disulfide.
Lithium grease adheres particularly well tometal, is non-corrosive, may be used under heavy loads, and exhibits good temperature tolerance. It has adropping point of 190 to 220 °C (370 to 430 °F) and resists moisture, so it is commonly used as lubricant in household products, such as electric garage doors, as well as in automotive applications, such asconstant-velocity joints. Lithium greases using a thickener formed by reacting a simple lithium soap with an acid are known as lithium complex greases and have higherdropping points as well as improvements to other properties.[6]