Objective: to investigate samples of nanostructured material. This paper presents the results of laboratory tests of lubricant samples designed for open, heavy-duty friction units, aiming to compare tribological properties and abrasion resistance, as well as the results of thermal stability tests. Methods: in the course of research, it was established that the existing methods for assessing the tribological characteristics of lubricants are primarily oriented exclusively toward liquid and plastic compositions. Results: a method has been proposed for evaluating the fundamental tribotechnical and tribospectral characteristics of the material, capable of ensuring high measurement accuracy while approximating test conditions to the operational specificities of performance. Practical significance: a foundation has been laid for expanding the nomenclature and enhancing the quality of lubricants. The proposed approach offers the possibility of significantly increasing the service life of heavy-duty friction units, reducing energy consumption for mechanism operation, and extending the temperature range for the efficient performance of lubricants, while simultaneously ensuring the environmental safety of production processes through the use of accessible and safe components.