5.1 Insoluble material may form in oils that are subjected to oxidizing conditions.

5.2 Significant formation of oil insolubles or metal corrosion products, or both, during this test may indicate that the oil will form insolubles or corrode metals, or both, during field service. However, no correlation with field service has been established.

1.1 This test method covers and is used to evaluate the tendency of inhibited mineral oil based steam turbine lubricants and mineral oil based anti-wear hydraulic oils to corrode copper catalyst metal and to form sludge during oxidation in the presence of oxygen, water, and copper and iron metals at an elevated temperature. The test method is also used for testing circulating oils having a specific gravity less than that of water and containing rust and oxidation inhibitors.

Note 1: During round robin testing copper and iron in the oil, water and sludge phases were measured. However, the values for the total iron were found to be so low (that is, below 0.8 mg), that statistical analysis was inappropriate. The results of the cooperative test program are available (see Section 16).

1.2 This test method is a modification of Test Method D943 where the oxidation stability of the same kinds of oils is determined by following the acid number of oil. The number of test hours required for the oil to reach an acid number of 2.0 mg KOH/g is the oxidation lifetime.

1.3 Procedure A of this test method requires the determination and report of the weight of the sludge and the total amount of copper in the oil, water, and sludge phases. Procedure B requires the sludge determination only. The acid number determination is optional for both procedures.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5 WARNING—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website—http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm—for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your state or country may be prohibited by law.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see Section 7 and X1.1.5.