CALORIMETRIC, DILATOMETRIC AND MICROSCOPIC INVESTIGATIONS OF SYSTEM SODIUM STEARATE-STEARIC ACID

A T-x phase diagram of the system sodium stearate (NaSt)-stearic acid (HSt) has been determined by DTA. It shows the existence of five defined association compounds, three of them (2 NaSt · 3 HSt, NaSt · HSt and 3 NaSt · 2 HSt) with an incongruent melting point and the others (5 NaSt · 2 HSt and 5 NaSt · HSt) with a congruent melting point. The latter two compounds pass through various mesomorphic phases before melting. The components do not form solid solutions and are even non-miscible in the mesomorphic state below 200 °C. Mutual miscibility is only observed above this temperature in the subneat and neat region, occurring in the HSt composition range from 0 to 15 and from 0 to 5 mole% respectively. The existence of molecular associations in the liquid state is very probable, particularly in the composition range between 30 and 40 mole% stearic acid. This might result in a liquid structure similar to that present in the melt of anhydrous soaps. © 1969 Dr. Dietrich Steinkopff Verlag.