Abstract: A method of removing iron oxide scale from sheet metal and galvanizing the sheet metal includes bonding galvanizing zinc to a wustite layer of the sheet metal. The iron oxide scale on the sheet metal generally comprises three layers prior to surface conditioning: a wustite layer, a magnetite layer, and a hematite layer. The wustite layer is bonded to a base metal substrate of the sheet metal. The magnetite layer is bonded to the wustite layer, and the hematite layer is bonded to the magnetite layer. Conditioning the surface of the sheet metal includes bringing a surface conditioning member into engagement with the surface of the sheet metal in a manner to remove substantially all of the hematite and magnetite layers from the surface, and in a manner to remove some but not all of the wustite layer from the surface. The portion of the wustite layer that remains bonded to the base metal substrate of the sheet metal protects the surface from oxidation until the surface is galvanized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing scale from the surfaces of processed sheet metal employs high pressure jets of water directed from nozzles positioned in close proximity to the sheet metal surfaces.

Abstract: A method of removing iron oxide scale from processed sheet metal, the method includes the steps of: providing a surface conditioning apparatus; and conditioning a surface of the processed sheet metal with the surface conditioning apparatus. In general, the iron oxide scale generally comprises three layers prior to surface conditioning: a wustite layer, a magnetite layer, and a hematite layer. The wustite layer is bonded to a base metal substrate of the processed sheet metal. The magnetite layer is bonded to the wustite layer, and the hematite layer is bonded to the magnetite layer. The surface conditioning apparatus has at least one surface conditioning member. The step of conditioning the surface of the processed sheet metal includes bringing the at least one surface conditioning member into engagement with the surface of the sheet metal.

Abstract: A cleaning and recycling system for conditioning liquid used in a sheet metal conditioner recycles once cleaned conditioning liquid back through the sheet metal surface conditioner where the once cleaned conditioning liquid cools and lubricates brushes of the surface conditioner and also recycles twice cleaned conditioning liquid back through the surface conditioner where the twice cleaned conditioning liquid provides a final rinse to the sheet metal as it is discharged from the surface conditioner.

Abstract: A method of processing sheet metal comprises the steps of: providing a tension-leveling apparatus; providing a surface conditioning apparatus; leveling a portion of the sheet metal with the tension-leveling apparatus; and conditioning a surface of the portion of the sheet metal with the surface conditioning apparatus. The tension-leveling apparatus includes a first set of bridle rollers adapted to receive sheet metal from an upstream coil. The tension-leveling apparatus also includes a second set of bridle rollers downstream of the first set of bridle rollers. The tension-leveling apparatus is adapted to engage the sheet metal in a manner to subject the portion of the sheet metal between the first and second sets of bridle rollers to a tensile force. The step of leveling the portion of the sheet metal between the first and second sets of bridle rollers includes engaging that portion with the tension-leveling apparatus in a manner to flatten the portion and reduce internal residual stresses in that portion.

Abstract: A sheet metal processing apparatus comprises a stretcher-leveler and a surface conditioner in combination. The stretcher leveler has an input end, an output end, and a stretching mechanism between the input and output ends. The input end of the stretcher-leveler is adapted to receive at least a portion of a metal sheet to be processed. The stretching mechanism has a plurality of gripping members. The gripping members are adapted for gripping the metal sheet and stretching the portion of the metal sheet between the gripping members past its yield point to eliminate internal residual stresses therein. The stretcher-leveler is adapted to then discharge the stretched portion of the metal sheet from the output end of the stretcher-leveler. A surface conditioner is positioned adjacent the output end of the stretcher-leveler. The surface conditioner is adapted to receive the portion of the metal sheet discharged from the output end of the stretcher-leveler.