Hot-dipping without bottom roll: opening the door to new galvanizing concepts

The features of the continuous hot dip galvanization are recalled and it is shown that a process avoiding the contact between the strip and immersed r olls would be a step forward. Such a process has been imagined and studied by means of a water model. Tests an a pilot galvanization line have allowed to determine conditions where no contact occurs between the strip and the zinc containing tank. Stable operation is possible for a sufficient range o f line speeds and strip tensions. The advantages of this technique are bein g verified using a pilot prototype.