We've all got a couple of cans of WD-40 (stands for "water displacement, 40th attempt) around the garage, but what makes it work? There is no ingredient list on the can and the formula is considered a trade secret. However, I recently came across a lab analysis (this month's Wired Magazine) of the stuff. So what's in WD-40?
1. Mineral Oil - main ingredient is a mix of baby oil and Vaseline.
2. Decane - an alkane-hydrocarbon that helps WD-40 stay liquid at cold temps.
3. Nonane - another alkane - since alkane atoms don't hold a charge, they can't connect to hydrogen or oxygen in water, so they're water repellent.
4. Tridecane and Undecane - more water repelling alcanes - undeccane is part of the pheromone trail left by roaches and ants
5. Tetradecane - another alcane
6. Dimethyl Naphthalene - this is why WD-40 works as a solvent
7. Cyclohexane - standard alkanes come in chanes, this one is a ring, giving it a higher melting point
8. Carbon Dioxide - propellant
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