The stability of binary alkane blends

The phase behaviour of binary mixtures of normal alkanes, CnH2n + 2-C36D74, for 20 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 34, was investigated by SAXS, SANS and DSC. The systems can be classified as forming solid solut ions, metastable solid solutions leading to the formation of alternating la mellar (micro)phase structures, or eutectics. Microphase formation is more general than reported previously and can be induced by changing both the te mperature of the system and chain-length difference. Current methods of cla ssifying phase behaviour are shown to be problematic and an alternative is proposed.