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But what about AMSOIL?

The type of base oil used to formulate an oil is inconsequential.

AMSOIL has always been known as the “First In Synthetic Lubricants®.” Originally (1972), AMSOIL used esters exclusively to create its products because that was the only widely available synthetic base oil. When PAOs became readily available in the 1980s, this became the base oil for blending its products. Then, in 1999, in a court ruling Mobil® vs. Castrol®, the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau ruled that Group III base oils can be classified as synthetic base oils.

synthetic material as “the product of an intended chemical reaction.”

Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) defines synthetics as manufactured compounds, not naturally occurring, and combining low-molecular-weight materials via chemical reaction into higher-molecular-weight structures makes these products.

Webster’s Dictionary in the chemical context defines synthetic to mean- of, relating to, or produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis, specially created artificially with synthesis (defined as “the production of a substance by the union of chemical elements, groups, or simpler compounds or by the degradation of a complex compound.”)

https://www.stle.org/files/TLTArchives/2010/01_January/Worldwide.aspx?WebsiteKey=a70334df-8659-42fd-a3bd-be406b5b83e5

Debunking the Mystery of AMSOIL’s Base Oils: A Closer Look

AMSOIL, a prominent name in the world of lubricants, has long been hailed as a leader in performance and protection. However, a recent debate has stirred among enthusiasts and consumers regarding the base oils used in their products. Some have questioned the use of Group III base oils and whether they qualify as truly synthetic. In this blog post, we aim to demystify AMSOIL’s choice of base oils and its significance in the world of synthetic lubricants.

Understanding Base Oil Groups

Before diving into the specifics of AMSOIL’s base oils, it’s essential to comprehend the various base oil groups and their properties. Machinery Lubrication provides an excellent resource for understanding base oils, which you can explore further [^1^]. The base oil groups are categorized based on their refining processes, which eliminate undesirable components, resulting in pure chemical components suitable for lubricating oils.

AMSOIL’s Historical Use of Base Oils

AMSOIL’s journey in the world of synthetic lubricants began in 1972 when they exclusively used esters to create their products. At the time, esters were the most widely available synthetic base oil. In the 1980s, they transitioned to using Polyalphaolefins (PAOs) as a base oil due to their superior properties. It wasn’t until 1999, following a court ruling in the Mobil vs. Castrol case, that the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau classified Group III base oils as synthetic.

Defining “Synthetic” Base Oils

The debate surrounding what qualifies as a synthetic base oil revolves around different interpretations. The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) defines synthetics as man-made compounds, not naturally occurring, formed by combining low-molecular-weight materials via chemical reactions into higher-molecular-weight structures [^2^]. In this context, synthetic base oils are those that are intentionally created through chemical processes, as opposed to naturally derived oils.

AMSOIL’s Response

AMSOIL has addressed the concerns about its use of Group III base oils by emphasizing that they never stated that Group III oils were not synthetic. They highlight their history of utilizing various base oils, including esters and PAOs, for their unique properties. They claim that focusing on the type of base oil is a distraction from what truly matters, which is product performance and quality. They experiment with different synthetic base oils and additives to create a custom formulation that maximizes performance, and they refuse to disclose the specific base oils used to maintain their competitive edge.

Conclusion

The debate over what qualifies as a synthetic base oil has stirred the lubricant industry and raised questions about AMSOIL’s choice of base oils. While some may find the classification of Group III base oils as synthetic to be a recent development, AMSOIL maintains that they’ve always focused on product performance and innovation. They refuse to disclose the specific base oils they use, emphasizing their commitment to creating superior lubricants through a combination of various base oils and additives.

In the world of lubricants, what matters most is the end product’s performance and quality, and AMSOIL stands by its reputation as a leader in synthetic lubricants, maintaining their commitment to providing top-tier products for their customers.

References:

[1] Machinery Lubrication: Base Oil Groups Explained – [Read Article](https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/29113/base-oil-groups)
[2] STLE: Worldwide Definitions of Synthetic Lubricants – [Read Article](https://www.stle.org/files/TLTArchives/2010/01_January/Worldwide.aspx?WebsiteKey=a70334df-8659-42fd-a3bd-be406b5b83e5)