Dynamic polymorphic phase transitions in a model binary triglyceride system measured by position-sensitive X-ray diffraction methods

X-ray diffraction measurements have been made on a binary mixture of pure tripalmitin and tristearin which undergoes particular polymorphic phase transitions on heating from the solid. The results were obtained using a position-sensitive detector which can record the whole diffraction pattern in time periods less than a minute. This allows many patterns to be recorded during the transformations where heating rates can be up to several^oC/min. As such the transitory existence of the intermediate β' phase has been unambiguously identified. The results serve to exhibit the usefulness of the X-ray apparatus and indicate its potential for future studies in dynamic crystallization and melting. On behalf of Loders-Croklaan