[TowerTalk] Aluminum Boom Lubricant: Yes or Nope?

[Steve Harrison]

On 8/16/2025 2:18 PM, Alan Swinger wrote:
> I never tried AlumSlip, but have used Penetrox......

Home Depot (and ACE hardware stores) doesn't have Penetrox, but they do 
have Noalox. The description of Noalox seems even better suited to 
aluminum - to - aluminum electrical connections than Penetrox... at 
least, according to the web (which we all know NEVER lies, right?).

The most-detailed description I could find for the use and application 
of Penetrox was from DXE, which describes Penetrox as (begin quote):

"DX Engineering Penetrox A Anti-Oxidants are electrical joint compounds 
that ensure a proper electrical connection between aluminum and copper 
metal parts

Use Penetrox on junctions such as conductors, telescoping aluminum 
tubing, or other antenna and grounding parts. Penetrox A Anti-Oxidants 
are compounds of a natural oil base with suspended zinc particles, which 
ensure high conductivity at all voltage levels by displacing moisture 
and preventing the corrosion or oxidation of the metal.

Although not recommended for use with rubber or polyethylene insulated 
wire, DX Engineering Penetrox A Anti-Oxidants are intended to be used 
between all aluminum to aluminum and aluminum to copper tubing or bare 
conductor connections." (end quote)

DXE apparently doesn't provide Noalox; our neighborhood hardware stores 
do, however, and at just about the same price. However, an AI (and we 
all know that AI descriptions are ALWAYS PERFECTLY accurate, no??  8-) 
description of Noalox from the web says (begin quote):

"Noalox is an anti-oxidant compound used to improve the efficiency and 
longevity of aluminum electrical connections.It's designed to penetrate 
and cut through aluminum oxide, a naturally occurring coating that 
impedes conductivity, while also excluding air to prevent further oxidation.

Here's a more detailed explanation:
*Reduces Oxidation: *Aluminum naturally forms a layer of aluminum oxide 
when exposed to air, which is a poor conductor of electricity.Noalox 
contains zinc particles that cut through this oxide layer, and the 
compound's carrier material helps to exclude air, preventing further 
oxidation.
*Prevents Corrosion: *The anti-oxidant properties of Noalox also help to 
prevent corrosion, which can further degrade the connection over time.
*Reduces Galling and Seizing: *Noalox can also be used on aluminum 
conduit joints to reduce galling (surface damage) and seizing (sticking) 
during installation.
*Compatible with Various Connectors: *It's commonly used with 
pressure-type wire connectors like lugs, taps, service entrances, and 
split bolts."

There's also several u-tube videos concerning Noalox, one of which 
claims electricians no longer need to use it for aluminum wire 
connections because over the past decades, wire manufacturers have 
changed from providing "pure aluminum" wire to wire using an aluminum 
alloy called 8800, which doesn't oxidize as easily as "pure aluminum" 
(end quote).

Having read all that, it sure sounds to me like Noalox is a suitable 
antioxidant for aluminum antenna parts; any disagreement?? (Whether or 
not it also serves as a LUBRICANT, such as for disassembling old yagis, 
remains to be seen, however.)

TNX,
Steve K0XP