Properties of Heptane (C7H16)

Heptane is a hydrocarbon compound with the chemical formula C7H16. It is a flammable, colorless liquid that is one of the many isomers of octane. Heptane is commonly used as a fuel additive and as a standard in octane rating to measure the antiknock quality of gasoline.

The following table provides a comprehensive list of heptane properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).

Click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.

Table of Heptane Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
Molar Mass100.2 g/mol
Density680 kg/m3
Dynamic Viscosity0.409 mPa·s
Surface Tension19.7 mN/m
Thermal PropertiesMetric
Melting Point-90.5 °C
Boiling Point98.4 °C
Thermal Conductivity0.124 W/m·K
Specific Heat Capacity (Cp)2245 J/kg·K
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αV)1.26×10-3 1/°C
Vapor Pressure4.7 kPa
Critical ConstantsMetric
Critical Temperature (Tc)267 °C
Critical Pressure (Pc)2.74 MPa
Critical Molar Volume (Vc)432 cm3/mol
Electrical PropertiesMetric
Relative Permittivity (εr)1.921
Optical PropertiesMetric
Refractive Index (589 nm)1.3855
Hazardous DataMetric
Flash Point-4 °C
Autoignition Temperature204 °C
Lower Flammability Limit1.05%
Upper Flammability Limit6.7%
NFPA Rating (Health)1
NFPA Rating (Fire)3

Unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)

References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017. 3) Yaws, Carl L. The Yaws Handbook of Physical Properties for Hydrocarbons and Chemicals. Netherlands: Elsevier Science, 2015. 4) Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials, 14th Edition. United States: National Fire Protection Association, 2010.