Abstract: The controlled cooling of previously heated and substantially straight steel wires of diameter more than 3.5 mm to a predetermined temperature including the steps: guiding the wires along individual paths through first coolant bath having bath liquid of water and a stabilizing additive, the bath liquid and the wires create a steam film around each wire along individual paths; directing an impinging liquid immersed inside first coolant bath towards the wires over a length along individual paths to cool down the wires, the impinging liquid decreases the thickness of the steam film or destabilizes the steam film, increasing speed of cooling over the length along individual paths; guiding the wires along individual paths out of the first coolant bath to be cooled down in air; after the further cooling, guiding the wires along individual paths through second coolant bath.

Abstract: A method of controlled cooling of one or multiple previously heated and substantially straight steel wire/wires of diameter more than 2.8 mm to a predetermined temperature range, comprises the steps: guiding the previously heated and substantially straight steel wire/wires along individual path/paths through one or multiple first coolant bath/baths comprising a bath liquid comprising water and a stabilizing additive.

Abstract: A method of continuous controlled cooling of a plurality of heated steel wires having a diameter larger than 2.8 mm and having an austenite microstructure and of transformation to a pearlite microstructure of the steel wires. The method comprises the steps of: a) Providing a first coolant bath comprising a first coolant liquid. The first coolant liquid comprises water and a stabilizing additive. b) Guiding the plurality of previously heated steel wires parallel to each other along individual paths through the first coolant liquid contained in the first coolant bath; and directing impinging liquid immersed inside the first coolant bath towards each of the steel wires over a certain length L. The impinging liquid decreases the thickness of or destabilizes the steam film around each of the plurality of steel wires, resulting in an increase of the speed of cooling over said length L.

Abstract: An end-block for use in a tubular magnetron sputtering apparatus is disclosed. Such an end-block rotatably transfers movement, coolant 5 and electrical current to the target while maintaining vacuum integrity and a closed coolant circuit. It hence comprises a drive means, a rotary electrical contact means, a bearing means, a number of rotary coolant seal means and a number of vacuum seal means. The inventive end-block occupies a minimal axial length along the target thus allowing 10 space savings in existing equipment such as e.g. display coaters. The axial length is reduced by mounting at least two of the means radial to one another.

Abstract: An end-block for use in a tubular magnetron sputtering apparatus is disclosed. Such an end-block rotatably transfers movement, coolant 5 and electrical current to the target while maintaining vacuum integrity and a closed coolant circuit. It hence comprises a drive means, a rotary electrical contact means, a bearing means, a number of rotary coolant seal means and a number of vacuum seal means. The inventive end-block occupies a minimal axial length along the target thus allowing 10 space savings in existing equipment such as e.g. display coaters. The axial length is reduced by mounting at least two of the means radial to one another.