Method and apparatus for galvanizing linear materials
AssigneeAllied Tube & Conduit Corporation
InventorsKalyan K. Maitra, Daniel G. McInerney, Carl H. Unger
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for continuous galvanizing of a linear element wherein controlled flow of molten zinc onto the linear element is effected through one or more nozzles, whereby galvanizing may be accomplished without immersion of the linear element in molten zinc. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the invention comprises an annular nozzle having a central opening through which the linear element is axially advanced. The nozzle is configured to provide a converging, generally frustoconical curtain of molten zinc flowing continuously onto the exterior surface of the linear element.
Claims7
In a continuous process for galvanizing metal conduit, a method of applying molten zinc to a cleansed and preheated metal conduit to be galvanized comprising:
- rolling a band of metal into tubular form having an outside surface with abutting edges;
- welding the abutting edges to form said conduit;
- cleaning said conduit with acid;
- rinsing said conduit;
- preheating said conduit in an inert atmosphere;
- providing a source of molten zinc;
- providing an inert gaseous environment over said source;
- propelling a jet of molten zinc from said source through said gaseous environment;
- passing said conduit axially through said jet, so that each point on said outside surface of said conduit makes contact with said jet for less than 0.1 second, whereby said outside surface of said conduit is coated with molten zinc and is galvanized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.