Originally Posted By: KingCake
You guys are reading the MSDS wrong. The MSDS is not a recipe.
I don't believe we are reading it wrong and we are well aware that it isn't a recipe.
Originally Posted By: KingCake
There's lots of stuff in the oil that won't be on the MSDS, and there's stuff on the MSDS that doesn't have to be in the oil. When it says < some % it could literally mean there is 0%. The are allowed to perform this kind of trickery to protect trade secrets.
I think you might need to go look at the MSDS. They do not simply say less than a given number, rather an appropriately vague RANGE of percentages is presented.
Here is the ExxonMobil MSDS search engine
Choose USA. Plug in 0w-40. Go to the 2nd page and click in the MSDS for the product we are discussing here. You'll see that the RANGE given for constituency of CAS # 848301-69-9 is presented as being 40 - < 70%. So between 40 and some number less than 70%. That's a good 30% spread, appropriate vague but still indicative of a solid percentage of this particular product appearing in the finished product. That's all we are taking away from these discussions, nobody is assuming that an MSDS is an "oil recipe" and we are well aware that there are many components not shown in the MSDS that are likely in the finished oil. Mobil covers this in their own little blurb shown on the MSDS actually:
Originally Posted By: ExxonMobil
As per paragraph (i) of 29 CFR 1910.1200, formulation is considered a trade secret and specific chemical identity and exact percentage (concentration) of composition may have been withheld.
Indicating that they will not provide exact percentages (hence the ranges presented) and that the actual formula is a trade secret and so only what is required for safety purposes is divulged, which leaves plenty out.