Tribological system

A vacuum device comprising:

• one or more exposed electronic contacts;
• and
• a tribological assembly including first and second mechanical components in relative motion with respect to each other, the assembly having a nickel phosphide surface and an additive lubricant including at least one component of the formulas (I) or (III):
• MxNOy (I),
• where
• M is any transition metal,
• x (M:N ratio) is any number between 0.5 and 10, and
• y (O:N ratio) is any number between 1 and 4;
• MxCrOy (III),
• where
• M is any transition metal,
• x (M:Cr ratio) is any number between 0.1 and 2, and
• y (O:Cr ratio) is any number between 1 and 6,
• the device being a sealed vacuum device.

A vacuum sealed assembly comprising:

• a tribological surface area including first and second mechanical components in relative motion with each other and an additive lubricant in contact with the tribological surface area, the additive lubricant embedding particulate material generated by friction in the tribological surface area, the additive lubricant including at least one component of the formula (I):
• MxNOy (I),
• where
• M is any transition metal, Ca, or Sb,
• x (M:N ratio) is any number between 0.25 and 10, and
• y (O:N ratio) is any number between 1 and 8.