The quality achieved in the production of complex shaped aluminium parts by the means of drop forging is mainly influenced by the workpiece material and the doping-media. Therefore a number of lubricants where tested for their influence on the coefficient of friction and the stability of the lubricating film. This was done in cooperation with a forging company. These tests where conducted on a custom built testing machine that simulates the parameters of real life production. The tool was made of hot working steel 1.2344, the specimens were made of AA2610. The temperature of the tool was varied from 250 °C to 450 °C, the temperature of the workpiece was 480 °C. Surface pressure was up to 325 MPa, speed up to 200 mm/s and the friction length was 80 mm. Thus it was possible to model the real life process quite well. The lubricants where assessed considering the coefficient of friction, the influence on the surface of workpiece and tool as well as handling. The tests resulted in the recommendation of three lubricants for further investigation in field tests.