I would assume that my practice of using stuff intended for aluminum wiring (Penetrox, Ox-guard, or Noalox), or Jet-lube copper anti-seize (I think this is the successor to Butternut's "butter-it's-not") would all be fine since I've never had any performance issues.

73,
Grant
KB7WSD

On Sun, May 12, 2024 at 9:14 AM Jim S via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Sounds about right. However, I just tested some Permatex anti-seize and it reads in the few dozen ohms range when meter probes are even only 1/16 inch apart. So it is pretty conductive.
As you point out when compressed it is certainly "conductive".

Jim   
-----Original Message-----
From: Zach Metzinger <zmetzing@pobox.com>
Sent: May 12, 2024 10:00 AM
To: <amsat-bb@amsat.org>
Subject: [AMSAT-BB] Re: Electrically conductive grease

On 5/10/24 11:16, samuel galet via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> What is the best grease to use to lubricate aluminum antenna tubes to > prevent corrosion and improve conductance. It also needs to conduct > electricity and protect metal screws from rusting.

The grease itself does not conduct (much). The joint pushes the grease out of the way and forms gas-tight metal-to-metal contact. The grease fills in the voids and prevents oxidation. I suspect there is a non-trivial amount of capacitive coupling going on, as well.

I use the cheap stuff, and it seems to work just fine. Find it at any big box store.

https://www.gardnerbender.com/en/p/OX-100B/Ox-Gard-Anti-Oxidant-Compound

73,

--- Zach
N0ZGO

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