4140 and 4340 alloy steel materials are most commonly used for the base material of our radial bearings. Custom steels are available upon customers request. Customer may also choose to use various tungsten carbide shape configurations including but not limited to rounds, hexagon, rectangular, and grain style.
Documentation such as material certifications as well as heat treatment and certificates of conformity can be supplied with each shipment. Part and traceability numbers can be included on every part for ease of tracking and verification.
Custom designs and prototypes are welcomed as well as small batch orders. Expedited deliveries can be arranged at time of order. Tungsten carbide bearings can also be ordered in either oversized or undersized configurations to fit customers special requirements.
Tile style / Grain Style / Round Button Style / Hexagon Style / Raw Materials
Tile TC Bearings
- Most commonly used in mud lubricated drilling tools.
- Tungsten carbide covers approximately 55% of surface area. (Can cover more depending upon tile configuration and placement)
- Typical life expectancy: 300 – 400 hours. (Run life solely depends upon drilling environment, mud composition, bend settings, carbide configuration and quality)
- Average hardness for the tungsten carbide is 70 HRC. (Different compositions are available at customers request)
- Average hardness of substrate is 28-36 HRC. (Many material and heat treating options are available)
- Common sizes available include but are not limited to: 2 1/8”, 2 3/8”, 2 7/8”, 3 3⁄4”, 4.75”, 5”, 6.25”, 6.50”, 6.75”, 7.75”, 8”, 9 5/8”, and 11 1⁄4”
- Both imperial and metric units are available.
Grain Style TC Bearings
- Average hardness of carbide grain matrix: > 70 HRC.
- Average substrate body hardness: 28-36 HRC. (Different values provided upon customers request)
- Common sizes available include but are not limited to: 2 1/8”, 2 3/8”, 2 7/8”, 3 3⁄4”, 4.75”, 5”, 6.25”, 6.50”, 6.75”, 7.75”, 8”, 9 5/8”, and 11 1⁄4”
- Grain styles perform best in enclosed environments of oil. Under magnification it has been noted that oil accumulates in the areas where washand erosion of the matrix happen. This holds tiny pockets of oil, which helps in lubrication of the bearings.
- Typical life expectancy: 300 – 400 hours (Run life solely depends upon drilling environment, mud composition, bend settings, carbide saturation and quality)
- Tungsten Carbide layer can be applied in various thicknesses with our unique processing.
Round Button Style TC Bearings
- Round TC tiles are configured so that there is no direct pathway for the fluid to wash or erode. This helps with keeping fluid flow through the bearing pack to a minimum as radial bearings act as a flow restrictor as well.
- Configuration of buttons allow for more carbide per square inch > 70% surface area. (Buttons can be stacked much closer together)
- Typical life expectancy: 300 – 400 hours. (Run life solely depends upon drilling environment, mud composition, bend settings, carbide saturation and quality)
- Average hardness of TC Buttons: > 70 HRC
- Average substrate body hardness: 28-36 HRC. (Many material and heat treating options are available)
- Common sizes available include but are not limited to: 2 1/8”, 2 3/8”, 2 7/8”, 3 3⁄4”, 4.75”, 5”, 6.25”, 6.50”, 6.75”, 7.75”, 8”, 9 5/8”, and 11 1⁄4”
Hexagon Style TC Bearings
- Hexagon TC insert layouts are configured so that there is no direct pathway for the fluid to wash or erode. This helps with keeping fluid flow through the bearing pack to a minimum as radial bearings act as a flow restrictor as well.
- All TC radial bearings are well suited for high RPM, pressures, temperatures, corrosive and erosive environments.
- Hexagon TC inserts are capable of covering 70% + of bearing surface areas.
- Typical life expectancy: 300 – 400 hours. (Run life solely depends upon drilling environment, mud composition, bend settings, carbide saturation and quality)
- Average hardness of hexagon TC inserts: > 70 HRC.
- Average substrate body hardness: 28-36 HRC. (Many material and heat treating options are available)
- Common sizes available include but are not limited to: 2 1/8”, 2 3/8”, 2 7/8”, 3 3⁄4”, 4.75”, 5”, 6.25”, 6.50”, 6.75”, 7.75”, 8”, 9 5/8”, and 11 1⁄4”
Raw Materials
Bearing Bodies can have many various compositions some of the most common are: 4140, 4145, 4330V, or 4340. Custom configurations are available upon customers request. Standard bearing body material makeup is as follows:
Mechanical properties:
- Tensile strength ≥1080
- Yield strength ≥ 930
- Elongation δ5 (%):≥12
- Reduction of cross-section area ψ (%):≥ 45
- Ballistic work: Akv (J):≥63
- Impact toughness αkv ≥78
- Hardness:≤217HB
After sintering and forced air cooling:
- Tensile strength: 827 Mpa
- Yield strength Rp0.2: 668 Mpa
- Elongation: 13%
After thermal refinement:
- Tensile strength: 931 ~ 955 Mpa
- Yield strength Rp 0.2: 804 ~ 835 Mpa
- Elongation: 24.5 ~ 26%
Chemical Composition of Bearing Body (Substrate):
- C: 0.38~0.45
- Si: ≤0.40
- Mn: 0.60~0.90
- S: residue ≤ 0.035
- P: residue ≤ 0.035
- Cr: 0.90~1.20
- Mo: 0.15~0.30
Chemical Composition of Tungsten Carbide:
Hard Alloy Insert (YG8)
- Composition: WC92%, Co8%
- Density (g/cm3): 14.5 – 14.9
- Hardness (HRA): 89 – 91
- Flexural strength (σbb/MPa): 1500
- Impact toughness σK/ (J/cm2): 2.5
Cast Tungsten Carbide Powder:
- Composition: WC 96%, Ct < 4%
- Particle distribution, +80 mesh ~ -200mesh
Binding alloy:
- Composition: Cu, Ni, Zn, Mn
