Polycrystalline diamond bearing pads with bearing portions exhibiting different wear rates and related bearing assemblies and apparatuses

摘要

Various embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) bearing pads having first and second bearing pad portions that exhibit different wear rates, and bearing assemblies and apparatuses (e.g., thrust-bearing apparatuses and radial bearing apparatuses) that utilize such PCD bearing pads. In an embodiment, a PCD bearing pad for use in a bearing assembly of a subterranean drilling system includes a PCD bearing pad body including a plurality of directly-bonded together diamond grains. The PCD bearing pad body further includes a first bearing pad portion exhibiting a first wear resistance, and a second bearing pad portion exhibiting a second wear resistance greater than the first wear resistance.