Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus which can be used to detect the abnormal operating condition of equipment, such as engines and machinery, the usefulness of the fluid, and the content of wear metals and elemental constituents in the fluid. The method comprises the steps of bringing at least two electrodes into contact with a sample of a fluid to be analyzed; applying a square voltage wave form to the electrodes at a predetermined scan range and scan rate to cause a current to flow between the electrodes; monitoring the current at the electrodes to determine a current output signal; using the current output signal to measure the conductivity of the fluid; and analyzing the sample to determine a content of wear metals and elemental constituents in the sample.

Abstract: A solid lubricating material consisting essentially of an intimate mixture of about 15 to 50 mole percent molybdenum trioxide, balance molybdenum disulfide. This material is particularly useful under extreme environmental conditions such as very high temperature or vacuum. The material may be used in powder form, compacted into a pellet or other desired shape, incorporated into a grease composition or incorporated into a resin-bonded solid film lubricant.