Stearic acid ˈ s t ɪər ɪ k STEER ik s t i ˈ ær ɪ k stee ARR ik is a saturated fatty acid with an 18 carbon chain and has the IUPAC name octadecanoic acid It is a waxy solid and its chemical formula is C 17 H 35 CO 2 H Its name comes from the Greek word στέαρ stéar which means tallow The salts and esters of stearic acid are called stearates As its ester stearic acid