Combustion and physical properties of blends of military jet fuel JP-5 with fifteen different methyl ester biodiesels synthesized from edible and nonedible oils

•Fifteen methyl ester biodiesels synthesized from edible & nonedible oils.•Major biodiesel components (C13, C14, C16, C18) consistent with previous studies.•Biodiesel densities > JP-5 max. density specification, some viscosities > JP-5 spec.•Biodiesel flashpoints > 373 K, cetane numbers > 40, surface tension > 28.6 mN/m.•Yanmar diesel engine metrics for JP-5, biodiesel, and their mixtures reported.