Originally Posted by MolaKule
In the context of your question, absorb is to take up or receive by chemical, molecular, or capillary action:
E.g., Carbonic acid is formed when water absorbs carbon dioxide (such as in Soda Pop).
Soft Drink Chemistry
E.g., A sponge "absorbs" a liquid by capillary action.
Capillary Action
Certain polar chemicals and additive compounds are attracted to metals by "Coulombic forces."
Coulombic Attraction
That is, certain chemical compounds can be "attracted" to metals but cannot be
absorbed by metals.
Metals used in engines have
closely-spaced atomic structures so oil molecules cannot be "absorbed" into those
metals.
If you can show any advertising or labeling where a claim is made as to the absorption of oil molecules, let me know.
Awesome, thanks!
It was never my intention to assert that oil gets "absorbed" into metal. It was simply a word that I thought companies used, but if they use another word like "bond" with the metal, thats fine. Let's say oil can "bond" with metal, how long will it take for the bonding to take place?
At this point I'll add another question. Is heat needed for this bonding to take place, or does the mere presence of the oil on the metal surface initiate bonding?