Sebacic Acid Supplier — Plasticizer & Nylon Grade

What Is Sebacic Acid?

Sebacic Acid (decanedioic acid, C₁₀H₁₈O₄) is a dicarboxylic acid with a C10 carbon chain, commercially produced from castor oil by alkali fusion of ricinoleic acid. Its longer chain length compared to adipic acid confers excellent flexibility at low temperatures, making sebacic acid the preferred dicarboxylate for cold-weather plasticizer and lubricant ester production. It is also used as a bio-derived monomer in polyamide and polyester synthesis.

Dioctyl Sebacate (DOS) Plasticizer

The primary industrial use of sebacic acid is in the production of dioctyl sebacate (DOS, or bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate), a cold-flexibility plasticizer for PVC. DOS imparts excellent low-temperature flexibility (down to −60 °C) and is favored for wire and cable insulation in cold climates, automotive interior trim, and flexible packaging that must remain pliable at low temperatures. Its food-contact approval (FDA, EU) extends its use to flexible packaging applications.

Nylon-6,10 and Bio-Based Polyamides

Sebacic acid reacts with hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) to form nylon-6,10, a semi-bio-based polyamide with lower moisture absorption than nylon-6,6 and good chemical resistance. It is also a monomer in bio-based nylon-6,10 produced from castor oil, used in engineering plastics, monofilaments, and brush fibers. Sebacic acid is further used as a comonomer in specialty polyesters and polyurethanes requiring enhanced flexibility and hydrolytic stability.

Lubricant Esters and Other Uses

Sebacate esters beyond DOS — including diisodecyl sebacate and other C8-C13 alcohol esters — are used as synthetic lubricant base stocks, particularly in aircraft turbine oils and cold-temperature hydraulic fluids. Sebacic acid is also used in corrosion inhibitor formulations and as a cross-linker in some adhesive systems.