US Synthetic Bearings Site

Bearing Testing

US Synthetic understands that meeting our customer's exact need is crucial to a successful product. That's why we are dedicated to developing a close working relationship with each customer -- providing ongoing research and development designed to find the best solution possible. To ensure product quality is met, our engineering teams do extensive, rigorous testing in our state-of-the-art, in-house bearing testing facility. This ensures that the best products are developed for our customers, through extensive:

• Wear Testing
• Performance Testing
• Field Testing

The results of these tests ensure that our customers receive the best diamond bearing products for their applications.

wear testing

During wear testing, we apply a high axial load for extended periods of time -- from hours to even days. The total diamond wear in the bearing is then measured and converted to a wear rate. Test results are then used to compare the relative wear resistance of different diamond blends, bearing insert geometries, and bearing insert configurations. The results of these wear tests help the US Synthetic Bearings engineering team design the best bearing possible for a given application. Wear test results are also used to predict bearing life in specific applications. The following are examples of wear test results:

performance testing

During performance testing, we test our bearings under constant speed, gradually increasing load until bearing failure occurs. Test parameters and bearing design can be adjusted to meet the customer's design, speed, load, and cooling flow rate. The data gathered during this testing is used to generate pressure/velocity (PV) failure curves which define the safe operating envelope for a given bearing. Test results can also be used to predict required cooling flow rate, expected heat generation, and frictional loss in customer applications.

field testing

Ultimately, we believe that the field is the most important test that can be conducted. As a result of this thinking, we gear our lab tests to pass only the best bearings to the field for the field stage of product development.

For more information on US Synthetic bearings and down hole drilling components, contact us today or read more about our technology advantage.