Using System Diamond Blocks Diamond Blocks are normally used with a high heat conducting Muffle. The open ended Muffle protects the outside of the Block while allowing internal atmosphere generation. Other Diamond Block accessories include Refractory Trays, Baffles, Cover Plates, Tongs and Shovels. Trays are used to isolate tools from contact with Diamond Blocks and to carry small tools to the quench. Baffles are used to close the front of the Muffle to shut out excessive air and extend Block life. Diamond Blocks are available in multiple heights and Cover Plates are used to protect the top of the Block when it does not fill the Muffle chamber. Shovels and Tongs are used to load and handle Trays.

The method of hardening with the Diamond Block is simple. With Diamond Block and Tray installed, the furnace is maintained at the proper hardening temperature. Small tools are loaded onto the Tray with Tongs and Shovel. The tools are heated to the furnace temperature and held at temperature for a predetermined soaking time. The tools are then transferred to the quench on the Tray. The same procedure is followed for large tools except they are handled with special tongs, hooks or fixtures. For production applications of small tools two Diamond Blocks can be used in the same Muffle.

Tools heated from cold in the Diamond Block Atmosphere will heat at a rate slow enough to avoid damage except in cases of extreme tool design. Years of experience with all types of tool hardening applications have shown that preheating is not necessary to obtain top quality results. Preheating often requires an additional atmosphere furnace or increased heat processing time. In many cases preheating often increases the exposure to oxidation

With proper care, the average life of small Diamond Blocks is about 40 hours where the life of the larger Blocks approaches 60 hours. Diamond Blocks can be used continually or for short intervals until they are consumed to an extent that they lack the physical size required to surround the work with a protective atmosphere.

Diamond Blocks can be used in other furnaces, in some cases. Contact the Sentry Company for details on how to adapt your furnace to the Diamond Block atmosphere.

Diamond Blocks are normally used with a high heat conducting Muffle. The open ended Muffle protects the outside of the Block while allowing internal atmosphere generation. Other Diamond Block accessories include Refractory Trays, Baffles, Cover Plates, Tongs and Shovels. Trays are used to isolate tools from contact with Diamond Blocks and to carry small tools to the quench. Baffles are used to close the front of the Muffle to shut out excessive air and extend Block life. Diamond Blocks are available in multiple heights and Cover Plates are used to protect the top of the Block when it does not fill the Muffle chamber. Shovels and Tongs are used to load and handle Trays.