Bearing block for a gear pump assembly

A bearing block adapted for use in a gear pump assembly, the bearing block comprising:

• a bearing surface configured to face one or more gears of the gear pump assembly;
• a bearing block body formed with a recess, and
• an insert located within the recess of the bearing block body, the recess and insert being shaped so as to be of smaller dimensions at the bearing surface of the bearing block than at a point remote therefrom within the bearing block, wherein the insert comprises:
• an insert body comprising an outer surface, the insert body having a tapered shape that tapers outwardly from the bearing surface;
• and
• a plurality of ridges disposed on the outer surface of the insert body, the plurality of ridges defining one or more grooves therebetween;
• wherein the recess comprises a tapered shape complementary to the tapered shape of the insert body, such that the insert body engages with the bearing block body, and wherein a material of the bearing block body plastically deforms around the plurality of ridges and flows into each of the one or more grooves to improve a mechanical retention of the insert within the recess.