Experimental data at T = 298.15 K and ambient pressure of excess molar volumes V-m(E) and excess molar enthalpies H-m(E) are reported for two ternary and the corresponding binary mixtures of {1-butanol, tri-n-butylamine (TBA), or tri-n-octylamine (TOA), and n-hexane}. A vibrating-tube densitometer was used to determine V-m(E). H-m(E) was measured using a quasi-isothermal flow calorimeter. The experimental results are used to test the applicability of the ERAS model for describing both thermodynamic excess properties of ternary mixtures containing an alkanol, a tertiary amine and an n-alkane. Qualitative agreement of calculated values with experimental results was achieved using only system-specific parameters determined from binary mixtures. The results are explained in terms of the self-association between alkanol molecules, cross-association between the alkanol and the tertiary amines and structural effects. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.