Lubricants improve switch production in three ways. Firstly, they prevent environmental and galvanic corrosion on switch contacts. Airborne contaminants attack metals, causing oxides to slowly build up in openings until they reach the surface. Where they block current flow. Non-Noble touch surfaces and switches made of different metals especially sensitive to moisture, oxygen, and aggressive gases.
Oils reduce the friction between switch elements, thus decreasing the amount of force needed to start a switch. Oils usually ensure a coefficient of friction of 0.1 or less. Which means it takes little force to operate a device with a high preload. This can be important in switches where high normal forces ensure low contact resistance and a stable signal. Lubrication is also automatically important because it gives the end-user even, suit operation.