Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Were you in favor of it?
Originally Posted By: CompSyn
Interesting. So what exactly WAS the SAE J357 definition of "synthetic".
Yes at the time I was in favor of differentiating "true" synthetics from Group IIIs, and was working toward it. Without the backing of the large PAO producers, however, it wasn't going anywhere. The PAO producers I spoke with felt that Group IIIs would raise the total demand for synthetics and their boat would rise with the tide. To some extent that was true, but the net effect was painful for them.
I don't remember the full text of the last SAE J357 definition of "synthetic" in 1995, but a condensed version extracted from the actual SAE text that I used in a presentation some years ago was:
"Chemical compounds...produced by chemical synthesis...and manufactured by organic reactions...from relatively pure organic starting materials."
This was consistent with the generally accepted technical definition since the 1970s. Since 1999, however, the word synthetic has become a marketing term, differentiated from Group II mineral oil by a single VI point. I can see some Group III+s (VI 140+), however, as entitled to the term.
A letter I wrote to the editors of Lubes&Greases magazine in 2004 on this subject is here:
"Regarding T. Glenn's excellent column in your July issue ("The Synthetic Definition of Synthetics," page 40):
My Webster's dictionary is very clear on the definition of the word synthetic. It says, "produced by synthesis; specifically, produced by chemical synthesis, rather than of natural origin." It then goes on to define synthesis as "the formation of a complex compound by the combining of two or more simpler compounds, elements, or radicals."
It further defines synthesis as "to produce by synthesis rather than by extraction, refinement, etc." This is very much in agreement with the old SAE definition, and it clearly excludes highly refined mineral oils such as Group IIIs.
A synthetic material is quite simply one produced by synthesis, and synthesis is a process, not a performance level. Producers of true synthetics have invested in the word synthetic for over 50 years, and to see its meaning diluted for profit is disheartening.
Vinyl upholstery can be made to look and feel like leather, but it isn't leather, and the consumer has a right to know that- especially if they are paying leather prices.
Group IIIs are excellent products and can offer real value in many application, but the word synthetic is already taken. I'm sure their marketing folks can find a new word to invest in without hijacking ours."
T. Schaefer, Hatco Corp. Fords, N.J.
Lubes & Greases, Sept. 2004, Vol. 10 Issue 9, page 46
Tom NJ
