This work reports
physical property measurements of binary mixtures
of butylbenzene with n-decane, n-dodecane, n-tetradecane, n-hexadecane,
or n-heptadecane. Densities and viscosities were
measured at temperatures from (293.15 to 373.15) K, and speeds of
sound were measured at temperatures from (293.15 to 333.15) K, except
for those of n-heptadecane, which were measured starting
at 303.15 K. Densities increased with increasing mole fraction of
butylbenzene. Excess molar volumes were positive and increased with
increasing alkane chain length, except for those of heptadecane which
were similar to those of n-hexadecane. Analysis of excess
molar volumes using the Prigogine–Flory–Patterson model
showed that the interaction term contributed more to excess molar
volume than the free volume or P* term. As the mole
fraction of butylbenzene increased, speeds of sound increased for n-decane and n-dodecane mixtures but decreased
for other alkane mixtures to values below those of both pure components
before increasing again. Viscosities decreased as the mole fraction
of butylbenzene increased except for those of some n-decane mixtures, which were below those of butylbenzene and n-decane. Viscosity mole fraction data were fit using the
three-body McAllister model. Bulk moduli and surface tension increased
with increasing mole fraction of butylbenzene, and flash points fell
between those of the individual components. These mixtures can be
used as surrogates for petroleum-based fuels.