A heterogeneous composite consisting of near-nano ceramic clusters dispersed within a ductile matrix. The composite is formed through the high temperature compaction of a starting powder consisting of a core of ceramic nanoparticles held together with metallic binder. This core is clad with a ductile metal such that when the final powder is consolidated, the ductile metal forms a tough, near-zero contiguity matrix. The material is consolidated using any means that will maintain its heterogeneous structure.

A self-aligning bearing support assembly for supporting a radial load rotary or linear bearing. The bearing support assembly has a main axis (A) and includes an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve at least partially received in the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve has an axially extending bore for supporting a rotary or linear bearing or for forming a bearing surface of a bearing. Three or more circumferentially separated chambers are formed between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve. Each chamber is confined in all directions by walls of the assembly. A lump of a substantially incompressible material fills each of the at least three chambers with the chamber concerned substantially completely enclosing the lump.

A bearing component includes a black-oxide layer having metallic additional elements integrated in the structure of the black-oxide layer. Also a method of forming such a black-oxide layer that includes immersing the bearing component in a bath having the metallic additional element prior to immersing the bearing component in a black oxidation solution.

A heterogeneous composite consisting of near-nano ceramic clusters dispersed within a ductile matrix. The composite is formed through the high temperature compaction of a starting powder consisting of a core of ceramic nanoparticles held together with metallic binder. This core is clad with a ductile metal such that when the final powder is consolidated, the ductile metal forms a tough, near-zero contiguity matrix. The material is consolidated using any means that will maintain its heterogeneous structure.

A thrust bearing pad includes a relatively low wear and low friction contact layer disposed on a metallic substrate. The metallic substrate allows a manufacturer to couple the thrust bearing pad to a corresponding metallic thrust bearing in a relatively secure manner while the contact layer extends the operating life of the thrust bearing and minimizes maintenance.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to bearing assemblies configured to effectively provide heat dissipation for bearing elements, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and methods of operating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed about an axis. Each superhard bearing element of the plurality of superhard bearing elements has a superhard table including a superhard surface. The bearing assembly includes a support ring structure coupled to the plurality of superhard bearing elements. One or more of the superhard bearing elements includes a superhard table, which may improve heat transfer from such superhard bearing elements.

A wear-resistant coating film is disclosed that can maintain high wear resistance for a long period of time even when it is subjected to repetitive wear, and a method for producing the film, as well as a wear-resistant component. The wear-resistant coating film 10 includes a plated layer 11, lump parts 2, and a coat layer 13. The plated layer and the coat layer are laminated, and each of the lump parts is formed of a single particle 12 and/or an assembly of particles 12. The lump parts 2 are held by the plated layer 11 and are disposed to protrude from the plated layer 11. The coat layer 13 is formed to coat the surface of the plated layer 11, the lump parts 2 have flat portions 18, and the flat portions 18 are placed on the same plane as the surface of the coat layer 13.

A heterogeneous composite consisting of near-nano ceramic clusters dispersed within a ductile matrix. The composite is formed through the high temperature compaction of a starting powder consisting of a core of ceramic nanoparticles held together with metallic binder. This core is clad with a ductile metal such that when the final powder is consolidated, the ductile metal forms a tough, near-zero contiguity matrix. The material is consolidated using any means that will maintain its heterogeneous structure.

A heterogeneous composite consisting of near-nano ceramic clusters dispersed within a ductile matrix. The composite is formed through the high temperature compaction of a starting powder consisting of a core of ceramic nanoparticles held together with metallic binder. This core is clad with a ductile metal such that when the final powder is consolidated, the ductile metal forms a tough, near-zero contiguity matrix. The material is consolidated using any means that will maintain its heterogeneous structure.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to bearing assemblies configured to effectively provide heat dissipation for bearing elements, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and methods of operating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed about an axis. Each superhard bearing element of the plurality of superhard bearing elements has a superhard table including a superhard surface. The bearing assembly includes a support ring structure coupled to the plurality of superhard bearing elements. One or more of the superhard bearing elements includes a superhard table, which may improve heat transfer from such superhard bearing elements.