METHOD OF FLUXLESS HOT DIP METALLIC COATING OF ALUMINUM-KILLED AND LOW ALLOY STEEL STRIP AND SHEET MATERIAL

摘要

A method of surface treatment of aluminum-killed and low alloy steel strip and sheet for fluxless hot dip metallic coating which comprises heating the steel in a furnace atmosphere containing the hot gaseous combustion products of air with a sulfur bearing gaseous fuel including 5 to 1600 grains of sulfur per 100 cubic feet of fuel wherein the atmosphere includes sulfur compounds and from about 6% free oxygen to about 7% by volume excess combustibles whereby to form a sulfur and oxygen rich film on the steel surfaces, passing the steel into a further heating section wherein it is brought to a maximum temperature of about 593 DEG to about 927 DEG C. in a reducing atmosphere containing at least 10% hydrogen by volume, passing the steel into a cooling section having an atmosphere containing at least 10% hydrogen and the balance nitrogen whereby to reduce the sulfur and oxygen rich film to a metallic iron surface, and cooling the steel approximately to the temperature of the molten coating metal bath. Coke oven gas may be used as the fuel for the furnace.