Method and apparatus to galvanize a ferrous substrate

Abstract

A ferrous strip is galvanized by establishing an electrostatic potential on the strip which is then submerged on a fluidized bed of powdered galvanizing material and then allowing the adhered galvanized powder to be carried by the strip to a reflow station. The reflow station heats the strip and galvanizing material to liquidity the galvanizing material and establish the necessary alloy interface on the ferrous strip. Thereafter, the strip passes to a cooling zone wherein the reflowed galvanizing material is solidified before contacting a roller to use to direct the strip to the exit of the galvanizing apparatus. The atmosphere within the galvanizing apparatus is remained inert through the use of nitrogen which is also used as the fluid medium for the suspension of the galvanizing powder in the fluidized bed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.