The ASTM D1500-07 test method can be used to compare the color of
an oil sample to a glass slide. This test is used in lubricant
manufacturing for quality-control purposes. It is performed using a
standard light source to match a sample to a glass slide. Values for the
glass range from 0.5 to 8.0 in 0.5 increments. If the sample falls
between two colors, the higher number is reported. If no color gauge
is available, the oil color is compared to a previous sample or a new oil
sample.
Contamination
Oxidation
Light Exposure
Analysis
The ultraviolet portion of the sunlight spectrum has shorter and higher
energy wavelengths than visible or infrared portions. Upon direct
exposure, UV rays can break chemical bonds and damage skin,
plastics and mineral oil-based lubricants. The ozone layer in the
stratosphere absorbs 99 percent of the UV rays coming from the sun.
The remaining one percent can cause damage unless UV stabilizers are
added to skin creams and plastics or the exposed object is shaded.
The point at which pressure stabilizes after reaching 150C marks the
initiation of test timeline. Oxygen pressure in the vessel decreases
with the onset of oxidation. The test concludes once the pressure
drops by 25 PSI. The test duration is noted in minutes.2
These same samples did not show any color change when exposed to
indoor fluorescent light or sunlight coming through a UV-protected
glass window.
Conclusion
Ultraviolet light can damage lubricants in a short period of time. The
first sign of damage in this study was the oxidation resistance of the
oil. This may seem all right if the system is a once-through drip
lubricant where there is no need for high levels of oxidation stability.
However, if the oil feed system is used as a constant leveler for a
small reservoir, one may be adding bad oil to good oil!