Phosphating and solid lubrication to reduce wear in bearings

A method of fabricating a tricone bit, comprising:

• fabricating a first journal base with an outer surface;
• depositing a first metal-phosphate layer on the outer surface of the first journal base;
• depositing a first solid lubricant layer on top of the first metal-phosphate layer;
• fabricating a first cone;
• and
• assembling the first cone over the first solid lubricant layer disposed on the first journal base with at least one rolling element disposed between the first solid lubricant layer and the first cone.

A bearing, comprising:

• an inner raceway surface region, wherein the inner raceway surface region includes a metal-phosphate layer and a solid lubricant layer overlying the metal-phosphate layer;
• an outer raceway surface region rotatably configured to rotate relative to the inner raceway surface region;
• and
• at least one rolling element disposed between the inner raceway surface region and the outer raceway surface region, such that the at least one rolling element enables the outer raceway surface to rotate relative to the inner raceway surface region, wherein the at least one rolling element is substantially in contact with at least one of the solid lubricant layer or the metal-phosphate layer.