Apparatus for producing a uniform metallic coating on wire

In an apparatus for applying a molten coating metal to a wire, which includes a reservoir for said molten coating metal having a vertical passage therethrough,

• a. a die holder, having a vertical passage therethrough, disposed in said vertical passage through said reservoir,
• b. a substantially horizontal passage intersecting said passage in said die holder, and communicating with said reservoir,
• c. a one-piece die element disposed in said die holder,
• d. said die element having a vertical passage therethrough, defining a path of travel for said wire,
• e. said die element having a horizontal passge intersecting said vertical passage in said die element, and communicating with the horizontal passage in said die holder,
• f. said horizontal passage in said die element dividing the vertical passage in said die element into entrance and exit portions and being larger in diameter than said vertical passage,
• g. said exit portion having a clearance over said wire of from about 0.010 to about 0.040 inch on the diameter, and
• h. means for centering said wire with respect to said exit die.