Process for applying a metal coating to a metal strip by preheating the strip in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, passing the strip through a melt pool of the metal coating material, and rapidly cooling the back surface of the strip

A process for applying a metal coating to a metal strip substrate comprising the steps of

• (A) providing a melt pool of the metal coating material at a pool temperature at least 25.degree. C. in excess of its melting temperature,
• (B) preheating the casting surface in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and maintaining a casting surface temperature T.sub.s below the solidus temperature of the metal coating material,
• (C) passing the casting surface of the metal strip substrate at temperature T.sub.s through the melt pool to deposit a liquid layer of the metal coating material at a casting temperature T.sub.c, and
• (D) simultaneous with depositing the liquid layer, rapidly cooling the metal strip substrate from the back surface away from the casting surface to solidify the liquid layer to an adherent solid coating, wherein the surface temperature T.sub.s is less than about 20% (in .degree.K.) below the casting temperature T.sub.c.