The generality at work here is that the powder from transparent substances (glass, sugar. salt.etc) are light colored because the small particle size results in increased refraction and reflection of incident light. Powdered opaque materials like metals or pencil "lead" i.e. graphite are dark colored because the small particle size enhances internal absorption of incident light. Odds are that the black stuff is powdered metal or opaque dirt of some sort. That's way to superficial an explanation, but some basic stuff nonetheless.
Ron On Apr 30, 2008, at 12:39 PM, June Oshiro wrote: > Hi, Ron, > > I've wondered about that, too - but it has always been that way for > every wheel I've used that needs oil and in every place I oil, whether > I used the Teflon lubricant or motor oil. Even on my current wheel, > the parts of the maiden where the flyer ends rest is made of some kind > of Teflon plastic (hard white stuff), so it's not even any metal on > half of the contact points. I just keep wiping it off, and the > performance is unaffected, so... Yeah, I don't know what it is. > > -j. > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: Ronald Parker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 5:11:01 AM > Subject: Re: [fibernet] Re: Thanks and WW question > > > On Apr 29, 2008, at 8:54 PM, June Oshiro wrote: > >> Teflon lubricant from Radio Shack (http://tinyurl. com/4bxjmo). I wipe >> it off after a couple hours of spin time (it still gets black and >> gunky) and reapply. Seems to be just fine. > > Who can argue with success? That said, the black must be from ground up > metal or something else in the bearing, so that would bother me a bit >
