Dilatometric investigations of fatty acid methyl esters

Summary The coefficients of expansion and melting dilations were measured for methyl palmitate, methyl stearate, methyl arachidate, methyl behenate, and methyl oleate. The dilatometric curve for the heating cycle of methyl palmitate and methyl stearate in the solid state was composed of a linear section to 49 degrees below the melting point, followed by a curvilinear section to the melting point. The heating and cooling cycle curves for methyl palmitate show the same volume change from −38°C. to 29°C., but the shape of the curves is different. The same relation holds for methyl stearate from −38°C. to 37.5°C. “After-contractions” were found in volume measurements within a few degrees of the melting point of both esters. Equilibrated points were found within 0.5 degrees of the final melting temperature of methyl stearate. A striking similarity exists between curves for variation of the dielectric constant with temperature for long chain linear molecules and the dilatometric data. Presented at the fall meeting, American Oil Chemists' Society, Mnneapolis, Minn., October 11, 1954. Issued as Paper No. 196 on the “Uses of Plant Products” and as N.R.C. No. 3671.