Method and means for hardening and hot-zincing iron and steel products

A method for simultaneous hardening and hot-zincing of low-carbon steel products consisting of the consecutive continuous steps of heating the products in a furnace to the austenitizing temperature of 850.degree.-1000.degree. C. in an atmosphere of a reducing gas to prevent decarburizing, evening and controlling the temperature of the austenitized products to a temperature not below the A.sub.c3 temperature in the end zone of said furnace in an atmosphere of a carbon-free protective gas to protect against contact with oxygen, introducing said products directly into a zinc bath at a temperature above the M.sub.s temperature for simultaneous hot-zincing and hardening for a period of time sufficient to produce bainite hardening, removing the hardened zinced products from the zinc bath, removing excess zinc from the products and cooling the products.