Abstract: Improved means and method are provided for the guidance of metallic strip in a horizontal continuous furnace having hearth rolls and wherein the strip temperature and furnace atmosphere are such as to promote the transfer of metal, oxides, dirt and the like from the metallic strip to some at least of the hearth rolls. At least one lifting hearth roll is provided in an elevated position wherein it lifts the metallic strip from those critical hearth rolls subject to contamination transfer. The elevated position of the lifting roll and its diameter are so chosen to assure a wrap-around contact between the metallic strip and the lifting roll in its elevated position. In practice the metallic strip is fed through the furnace and continuous operation is begun. The lifting roll, in its elevated position, maintains the metallic strip out of contact with the critical hearth rolls.

Abstract: Infra-red heating of moving webs using re-radiator surfaces adjacent to or opposed to infra-red generating surface. Scoop can be provided to remove boundary gas layer on web before it is irradiated, and hot combustion products drawn off and applied to web to assist in heat treatment. These hot combustion products can also be permitted to build up in depth below a downwardly facing infra-red generator.

Abstract: Helper rolls in a continuous annealing furnace are divided by a master speed hearth roll serving as the boundary into a plurality of control blocks disposed forwardly and rearwardly of the master speed hearth roll, and the speed of rotation of the master speed hearth roll is used as a reference speed. Tension of a steel strip are continuously controlled on the basis of values detected by a tension meter in the plurality of control blocks towards the inlet of the furnace for the helper rolls disposed forwardly of the master speed hearth roll and towards the outlet of the furnace for the helper rolls disposed rearwardly of the master speed hearth roll.

Abstract: Heat-treating apparatus which includes an insulated furnace compartment through which stock to be heat-treated is passed. Perforated tubes are arranged in the furnace and they are heated to radiance by burners which also generate products of combustion which are ejected through the perforations at high velocity to impinge upon a surface or surfaces of the stock being heat-treated. The combination of radiation and convection enhanced by the impingement of the jets upon a surface of the stock provides highly efficient primary heat transfer. The burners are designed to insure that rapid combustion takes place at a point removed from the perforations to avoid flame issuing from the perforations. The tubes are sized and spaced to enhance secondary heat transfer from gases in the furnace compartment and from the walls of the compartment to the stock.

Abstract: An improved process for heat-treating pellets in a pelletizing machine in which hot gases are generated and passed through a bed of pellets includes charging solid carbonaceous fuel onto the surface of the pellet bed and burning the carbonaceous fuel to generate at least a portion of the hot gases.

Abstract: A method of controlling the tension of a strip carried by a multitude of rollers disposed in four section of a furnace and driven by electric sources, one source for each section through respectives electric motors. The actual difference in tension of the strip between the inlet and outlet of each section is compared with a corresponding reference difference tension stored in a tension profile control circuit to form a tension deviation. An allotment-of-tension scheduling circuit successively receives all of actual tensions and sets a tension to each section and a correction factor. After having been amplified by the correction factor in one multiplier for each section, the tension deviation is applied to a speed regulator to control its associated allotted of tension and a tension profile within the furnace.

Abstract: A plant for producing enameled wire using an inline process has, placed in order a wire pay-off system, a wire drawer, an annealer, an enameled dope coater, an enamel processing unit and an enameled wire take-up unit. The annealer and the dope coater are placed together in a single oven housing, which has a drying space, a curing space and a return shaft in which a circulating air blower, a heating unit and a catalyst are placed. The blower is responsible for producing a heated air current moving through the heating unit of the annealer and through the catalyst, the air current furthermore moving in the opposite direction to the direction of the wire through the curing space and the drying space. The wire makes its way through an annealing tube and the return shaft into waste gas pipe joined therewith and through a wire cooler, which is full of inert atmosphere as produced by a unit.

Abstract: A continuous strip preheat furnace and method of operation is disclosed wherein the furnace is provided with fired and unfired sections, separate exhaust stacks operably secured to each section, and means to regulate the flue gases which pass through the separate exhaust stacks to improve the operating efficiency of the furnace. The fired and unfired sections may both be vertical or horizontal, or one may be vertical and the other horizontal.

Abstract: The drum for passing photographic paper along the surface of a heating trough is reversibly rotatable to maintain a high coefficient of friction between the exterior fibrous surface of the drum and the carrier undersurface of the paper. Drum rotation is reversed in the direction opposite to the transport of paper during periods between successive developments so as to brush the outer tips of the drum fibers against the surface of the trough, deflecting them in the direction of paper transport. The fiber surface of the drum may be set accordingly during manufacture by a grinding wheel rotated oppositely and concurrently with the drum to be finished, but at a much greater speed than the drum. The grinding wheel serves to incline the fiber tips so as to be initially directed in the direction of paper passage along the trough.

Abstract: Method for treatment of a solid material submerged in a body of liquid wherein the material is sticky and/or has relatively low tensile strength. The material being treated is supported, while so submerged, by a dynamic boundary layer of a liquid material between the treated material and a stationary porous restraining surface, the layer being created by the forced diffusion of said liquid through the pores of said stationary surface. The method is illustrated by heating and thereby foaming a strip of heat foamable thermoplastic resin while it is held submerged in a denser heat transfer liquid by a dynamic layer of said heat transfer liquid, said layer of heat transfer liquid being created by the forced diffusion thereof through a porous plate in operative communication with a pressurized chamber containing a supply of said liquid.

Abstract: A method of controlling strip temperatures of two joined metal strips of dissimilar gauges but requiring essentially the same heat treatment temperatures, is described. The normal processing temperature is higher than the temperature to which it is desired to heat the webs. The higher processing temperature is reduced to a lower temperature in response to a change in the gauge of the webs passing through the chamber in which the webs are heat treated. This lower temperature is such that the heavier gauge web will not be underheated and the lighter gauge web will not be overheated. The line speed at which the juncture of the webs passes through the chamber will simultaneously be lowered in correlated relation to the reduction of the temperature within the heat treatment chamber until such time as the juncture passes from the chamber so that the processing conditions of time and temperature can be readjusted to accommodate heat treatment of the new web.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pre-heating apparatus for a thermoforming machine for uniformly heating a thermoplastics sheet or plate throughout, the apparatus comprising a first heating section (A), a cooling section (B) and a further heating section (C). Such arrangement ensures that both the outer and inner layers of the thermoplastics sheet or plate (1) are all at the same temperature when the sheet or plate is subjected to a thermoforming process. There is also disclosed a process for pre-heating a thermoplastics sheet or plate prior to subjecting such sheet or plate to a thermoforming process comprising firstly passing a sheet or plate through a heating section, thereafter through a cooling section and finally through a further heating section.

Abstract: In the lamination of thermoplastic polymer layers to substrates a thin surface layer of the substrate can be heated to improve adhesion without substantially heating the mass of the substrate by advancing the exposed surface of the thin layer in surface-conforming contact with a heated surface for 0.1 to one second at an interface pressure of 0.1 to 5 kilograms per centimeter of substrate width, the heated surface having an initial temperature of 35.degree.-350.degree. C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fixing the binding agent of a dye-stuff to a printed web of material by means of heat applied to the web within a treatment or polymerization chamber. The treatment time of the web is increased by effecting a loop formation of the web upon a slowly moving belt traveling within the treatment chamber. After the web is first introduced into the chamber, it is then heated. Thereafter, the loop formation takes place. Upon leaving the treatment chamber, the web is passed over a stationary, curved shape heated plate, which smooths the web.

Abstract: During the process in which a metal strip is moved in a floating condition, the metal strip is first heated, and thereafter cooled and annealed. In heating the metal strip, the metal strip is heated so that a central portion widthwise thereof is increased in temperature more than that of both edges widthwise thereof. The metal strip is heated in a manner as described whereby a great thermal stress is not introduced in the metal strip and consequently, there is less possibility to produce wrinkles in the metal strip.

Abstract: A continuous process for forming a longitudinal heat-weakened strip in a cross-lapped oriented polyolefin film is disclosed. The process comprises directing heat from two longitudinally aligned sources, to opposing sides of a travelling web of the cross-lapped oriented polyolefin film, to such an extent that the tensile breaking strength at the heat-weakened strip so formed is in the range of 20 to 100 Newtons per centimeter of length of film. The film so formed is particularly useful for packaging slurry explosives.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for accurately controlling the temperature of a moving metal strip in a continuous heat treating operation. A plurality of temperature sensors are located at fixed intervals along the path of the metal strip through the heat treating apparatus, e.g., the cooling tunnel following an annealing oven, employed to control the application or extraction of heat and thereby the rate of temperature change of the strip. Errors in sensor readings are compensated by secondary averaging of adjacent temperature differential measurements to provide a more accurate temperature control.

Abstract: A method of controlling steel strip temperature in a process of continuously heating steel strip in heating equipment having a preheating zone and a rapid-heating zone. The preheating zone has a number of gas-injecting preheating units that can be individually put into and taken out of operation. In normal operation, the in-operation length of the preheating zone is prefixed irrespective of strip thickness, and the temperature of the rapid-heating zone is preset depending on the strip thickness so that the strip acquires the desired temperature at the exit end thereof. In such operation, the strip is preheated in the preheating zone of the prefixed in-operation length and rapidly heated in the rapid-heating zone at the preset temperature. In irregular operation, such as treating a following strip the thickness of which has changed, the temperature of the rapid-heating zone is changed from the preset one to a second one optimum for the following strip.

Abstract: A burner has a flame chamber formed by flat upper and lower walls connected by side walls and a front end wall, with a fuel inlet for connection to a fuel source and with an open rear end. A handle is connected with one side of the burner for inserting it between the overlapping layers of a lap joint of fusible roofing sheets for sliding it forward along the joint while flame issues from the rear end of the burner to fuse the overlapping layers together. A hold-down member normally is spaced above the burner, but a device is provided for lowering that member into close proximity to the burner for engaging the upper surface of the upper layer of the lap joint and holding that layer down on the burner as the burner is moved forward. The apparatus may also include a second shorter flame chamber disposed above the front portion of the other chmaber, with openings between them for flow of gas and flames from the lower chamber to the upper one.

Abstract: A continuous flow heating oven of the industrial type used for the heating of ingots, sheet material and the like, which may be of light metal or light metal alloy, includes a burner fired with a liquid or gaseous fuel disposed within a heating chamber. The material to be heated is placed within the oven with the convection air currents generated from the burners directed thereon, with the hot combustion gases produced by the flames. In addition, the exhaust gases are compressed and directed back onto the object to be heated interspersing with the convection air currents originally generated to increase the efficiency of heating the material.

Abstract: A method of curing a solvent based coating on a strip comprising passing the strip through oven zones, circulating hot gases in the zones to vaporize solvents and entrain them in such gases and cure the coatings, the solvents being released in high volume one zone, and in low volume in another zone, incinerating some of the gases in the zones to oxidize solvent vapors and returning them to the zones, extracting some solvent-rich gases without incineration from the high release zone and distributing them to other zones, incinerating the solvent-rich gases as they are introduced into the other zones to oxidize solvent vapors and discharge high temperature combustion gases in the zones supplying some heat for the zones and reducing solvent vapors, extracting some of the gases from some zones and introducing them into the high solvent release zone to partially replace the gases transferred, the balance being made up by upstream migration of zone gases within said oven, and exhausting some gases to atmosphere.

Abstract: A strip curing oven apparatus for treating a workpiece carrying a coating containing a vaporizable solvent which is oxidizable to provide at least part of the heat requirement of said oven apparatus and which oven apparatus comprises an oven having a plurality of oven zones, such workpiece being movable through said oven zones in sequence, radiant header means disposed within one said oven zone so as to radiate heat toward a workpiece moving through that oven zone, incinerator means for incinerating oven gases to oxidize solvent vapors contained therein and to discharge such gases, after incineration, at an elevated temperature and with a reduced solvent vapor content, into said radiant header means, first gas-transferring means for transferring oven gases containing untreated solvent vapors from at least one of said oven zones to said incinerator means, oven gas circulation means located in said oven zone containing said radiant header means for circulating oven gases for passage between said radiant header

Abstract: In a line for coating a ferrous base metal strip with a molten coating metal, the line being of the type having a preparation furnace for the strip comprising a direct fired furnace, a controlled atmosphere heating furnace, one or more cooling chambers and a snout leading beneath the surface of the molten coating metal bath, all in sealed relationship to each other, the improvement comprising a method and means for maintaining a non-oxidizing atmosphere at positive pressure within the entire preparation furnace during line stops. To this end, a retractable, refractory lined door means is provided in the conduit between the direct fired furnace and its exhaust fan to seal off the direct fired furnace from its exhaust fan and an air dilution opening in that conduit. Additionally, means are provided to add excess nitrogen flow to the preparation furnace to maintain a positive pressure therein.

Abstract: A furnace for heat treating metal slabs or strips includes a heating chamber through which stock is passed in confronting relationship to an array of jet impingement radiation burners. Combustion is separated from the stock by flat refractory plates having a plurality of holes uniformly distributed thereover which direct uniform jets of combustion products upon the strip or slab. The jets of combustion products heat the work by convection. Also, the refractory jet forming plates are heated to radiance so that heat energy is transferred to the work by radiation.

Abstract: A coating containing a vaporizable solvent on a strip passing through an oven apparatus is dried or cured at least in part by means of a radiant heater disposed within such an oven apparatus. Solvent-carrying gases are removed from the oven and incinerated to oxidize the solvent vapors contained therein and to provide gases at an elevated temperature and with a reduced solvent vapor content. Such heated gases are then passed through the radiant heater which receives heat from such gases and radiates heat toward the strip. Optionally, openings are provided in the radiant heater to allow for the flow of hot gases from within the radiant heater through such openings for impingement on and direct heating of the strip.

Abstract: In a process in which strip metal is subjected to heating while suspended as a catenary in a heating zone, the strip is passed into the heating zone in a condition in which the lower surface is slightly elongated in relation to the upper surface. The differential elongation may be due to "coil set" in the strip feed coil or may be applied by a roller leveller or equivalent mechanism during passage from a feed coil to the heating zone. The procedure is conveniently employed to control edge creep and improve flatness in stoving coated strip or in annealing operations.

Abstract: Continuous method and apparatus for treatment of a solid material submerged in a body of liquid wherein the material is sticky and/or has weak tensile strength. The material is supported, while it is so submerged, by a dynamic layer of the liquid lying between the material and a moving surface. The method is illustrated by heating and thereby foaming a strip of heat foamable thermoplastic resin while it is held submerged in a denser heat transfer liquid by a dynamic layer of that liquid generated by a moving belt above the foaming material. In an example, expandable high density polyethylene strip is foamed continuously while it is so held submerged in molten salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for sterilizing a thermoplastic band used in the production of sterile packs.During the sterilization operation in the sterilization zone the edge of the thermoplastic band which subsequently forms the inside of the pack is applied to a movable sterilization support which is heated to the sterilization temperature and accompanies the band over part of its path to the shaping station located in the sterile enclosure and the contact being maintained between the support and the band until the latter enters the sterile enclosure.

Abstract: A process for heating one or more bodies in a furnace in which heated gas is introduced into the furnace chamber through one or more injectors and are conveyed to the bodies in a manner involving appreciable resistance to gas flow to generate an air cushion for supporting the bodies. In a preferred arrangement a continuous metal strip is conveyed through the furnace on a gaseous support cushion, the gas being introduced into the furnace under pressure through injectors which communicate with the lower portion of the furnace. The injectors and the furnace internal wall structure generate a substantial recirculation of gas within the furnace.

Abstract: In a line for coating a ferrous base metal strip with a molten coating metal, the line being of the type having a preparation furnace for the strip comprising a direct fired furnace, a controlled atmosphere heating furnace, one or more cooling chambers and a snout leading beneath the surface of the molten coating metal bath, all in sealed relationship to each other, the improvement comprising a method and means for maintaining a non-oxidizing atmosphere at positive pressure within the entire preparation furnace during line stop. To this end, a retractable, refractory lined door means is provided in the conduit between the direct fired furnace and its exhaust fan to seal off the direct fired furnace from its exhaust fan and an air dilution opening in that conduit. Additionally, means are provided to add excess nitrogen flow to the preparation furnace to maintain a positive pressure therein.

Abstract: An article of clothing having at least one layer of a fabric or a fabric having an aramid yarn knitted or woven with a heat settable yarn. The fabric is heated to set the heat settable yarn thereby dimensionally stabilizing the fabric without bonding. The fabric may be a scrim or a lining having a facing material laminated thereon.

Abstract: A continuous method for foaming foamable thermoplastic resin by floating the resin upon a heated liquid bath while heating it from above by flooding the upper surface of the floating resin material with a blanket of a liquid at substantially the same temperature as the heated bath. In an example, the flooding liquid is pumped from the heated bath and sprayed over the upper surface of the floating resin material.

Abstract: Steel strips, notably in a galvanizing unit production line, are preheated in an oven heated with liquid fuel, the latter being mixed with water to form an emulsion, in the proportion of 0.3 to 1 kg of water per kg of liquid fuel, the oven temperature ranging from about 900.degree. to about 1,500.degree. C.

Abstract: A combination heater, a processing oven and incinerator in which a single burner constitutes the source of heat for processing materials in an oven and also constitutes the means of incinerating the products of combustion to an innocuous residue, capable of being discharged into the air without environmental damage. The products of combustion do not pass through the oven.

Abstract: An elongatable endless belt passes around four rollers and, in so doing, passes adjacent to the heated surface of a U-shaped platen which has its edges adjacent to two of the rollers. The surface of the belt which faces the platen is in driving engagement with a film coming from a recording means. One of the noted two rollers is driven faster than the other so that the belt moves the film along the platen surface and leaves one edge of the latter at a higher speed than that at which the belt arrives at the other edge of the platen surface. Therefore, the belt progressively elongates and moves along the film as it is moving the latter along the platen surface.

Abstract: A furnace for continuously heat treating metallic strip comprises a substantially flat horizontal entry floatation table having a trailing portion which inclines downwardly towards the base of a floatation trough. The trough extends along substantially the full length of the heating zone furnace. An exit table includes a leading portion which inclines upwardly from the base of the trough to a generally horizontal flat floatation surface. Entry and exit seals are positioned above the entry and exit tables respectively.

Abstract: A drying apparatus suitable for use in the drying of paper web and which comprises a housing, rollers located within the housing for supporting the paper web which is transported through the housing, and means for applying heat to the rollers. The heat is applied directly to the rollers' periphery and at such a level as to cause vaporization of moisture contained within the web, whereby a vapor layer is created between the web and the portion of the rollers' periphery which would otherwise be contacted at any given time by the web.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating and subsequently metallizing a filament comprises:Passing the filament through the inner tube of a first chamber for decontamination which comprises two concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween, the inner tube of which has a series of fine holes therein; wherein said inner tube is heated and said annular space contains an inert gas such that said gas flows through said holes in heated jet streams which impinge upon said filament, thereby heating and decontaminating said filament;Passing said heated and decontaminated filament into a second chamber for metallization also comprising two concentric tubes having an annular space therebetween, the inner tube of which has a series of fine holes therein; wherein said inner tube of said second chamber is heated and said annular space of said second chamber contains a gaseous, thermally decomposable metal compound such that said gaseous metal compound flows through said holes in heated jet streams and impinges upon said heated

Abstract: A system and method for heating thermoplastic material and forming elongated and involute thermoplastic articles from the thermoplastic material is disclosed. Means are provided for controllably heating a sheet of thermoplastic material to form preselected temperature gradients throughout the sheet of thermoplastic material. Means are further provided for planarly supporting the heated sheet of thermoplastic material allowing for transverse motion of the heated sheet of thermoplastic material at the center thereof and further allowing for controlled slippage of the heated sheet of thermoplastic material toward said center thereof relative to the planar support means. Means are also provided for transversely forming a heated sheet of thermoplastic material into the shape of an elongated or involute plastic article.

Abstract: In a machine, for making corrugated paper, of the kind including hollow cylindrical rollers, a process and apparatus is provided for improved heating of the rollers. Liquefied gas is burnt within the hollow interiors of the rollers, and the rollers are heated by radiation from the resultant combustion gases. A combustion tube is fitted into the interior of each roller, and a liquefied gas jet burner is located outside each roller and includes a nozzle directed towards one end of the combustion tube. A radiator tube is provided within the roller in surrounding spaced relation to the combustion tube, forming an annular space therebetween through which auxiliary air is supplied. The radiator tube is heated primarily by radiation from the combustion tube, and transmits its heat by radiation to the roller. Means are provided for cooling each bearing of the rollers.

Abstract: An elongated article is heated in a heating zone positioned adjacent a conveying zone for conveying the elongated article by actuating the heating zone and controlling the temperature of the heating zone to a first temperature, then actuating the conveying zone after passage of a first period of time followed by controlling the temperature of the heating zone to a second temperature after the passage of a second period of time.

Abstract: In a heat-fixing device for fixing a member to be fixed as it is conveyed on a conveyance path provided with a heat source, there is provided suction means having a suction port adjacent to the conveyance path. The suction means is operable to draw the member to be fixed as it is conveyed.

Abstract: A method of continuously and rapidly effecting a heat induced cure in curable polymeric compositions, such as by cross-linking or vulcanization, by means of directly contacting a surface of the heat curable polymeric composition with a stream of hot gas traveling at very high velocities, and under elevated pressures.

Abstract: A steel strip such as stainless steel is passed in uncoiled form through a jet recuperator, an intermediate furnace section, and a main fired furnace section in which a fuel such as natural gas is burned. The exit end of the main furnace section has an opening only slightly greater than the cross-section of the strip. The strip is preheated in the jet recuperator by forcing waste gases from top and bottom waste gas chambers through holes in the bottom and top, respectively, of the waste gas chambers against both sides of the strip. The strip is further heated by the waste gases in the unfired intermediate section and brought to final temperature in the main fired section.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating materials such as aluminum billets to a temperature suitable for extrusion is disclosed. The apparatus has at least two zones arranged in tandem, a preheat zone and one or more primary heating zones. Every zone has inner and outer chambers. The outer chamber is supplied with high temperature gas at a pressure in excess of that of the inner chamber. The chambers are separated by baffles which define narrow slot-like aspirating throats through which secondary gases from a secondary source are jetted after entraining high temperature gases from the primary chamber. The secondary gases are at a lower temperature to provide efficient impingement of the gases on a target such as a billet with the primary gases providing the principle heat source. The apparatus is of the closed type utilizing rapid recycling of gases for efficient use of thermal energy.

Abstract: A fluid-wall reactor for high temperature chemical reactions comprising (A) a porous reactor tube, at least a portion of the interior of which defines a reaction zone, the tube being made of an electrically resistive, porous refractory material; (B) a pressure vessel enclosing the reactor tube to define an inert fluid plenum, the pressure vessel having at least one inlet for admitting the inert fluid which is directed under pressure through the porous tube wall to provide a protective blanket for the inside surface of the reactor tube; (C) means for introducing at least one reactant into the reaction zone, the reactants being directed in a predetermined path axially of the reactor tube and being confined by the protective blanket substantially centrally within the reaction zone; (D) means for passing an electric current through the reactor tube for heating the reactor tube to the temperature level at which it emits sufficient radiant energy to initiate and sustain the desired chemical reaction, the radiant en

Abstract: A multiple stage oven for heating a product such as carpet or the like, which serially moves through each stage to be heated. Each stage of the oven includes a fuel burner for heating air within the stage, and a fan for recirculating the heated air in the stage for impingement onto a carpet product moving through the stage. A portion of the heated air within each stage is drawn from that stage and supplied to a serially preceding stage. The volume of air withdrawn from the last stage in the serial arrangement, and also the volume of make-up air admitted to the first stage thereof, does not exceed the sum of the fuel combustion products within the zones and any moisture or other substance evaporated or evolved from the carpet in each of the heating zones.

Abstract: An apparatus for impregnating and drying a material containing an inflammable organic liquid by igniting and burning the liquid from the material, consisting of an impregnating means, an enclosed burning chamber having at one end an inlet for the material to be dried, a combustion air inlet and an ignition means for igniting the inflammable organic liquid and having at an other end transport means for drawing the material through the chamber, an outlet means for hot combustion gases and an outlet means for dried material.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying a material containing a burnable organic liquid by igniting and burning the liquid from the material, consisting of an enclosed burning chamber having at one end an inlet for the material to be dried, a combustion air inlet and an ignition means for igniting the burnable organic liquid and having at the opposite end transport means for drawing the material through the chamber, an outlet means for hot combustion gases and an outlet means for dried material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to heat fix a heat fusible xerographic powder image to a final support material in which the powder image is first transferred to a final support material and the image-bearing support material then brought into contact with a bath of hot liquid metal for a period of time sufficient to fix the image to the support material. The temperature of the bath is maintained at a temperature high enough to fuse the image but below that at which the support material is damaged. The liquid metal bath has floating on it a layer of molten non-metal to prevent oxidating of the metal and to precoat the support material on its entry into the bath to prevent particles of the liquid metal from embedding in the support material. The relative high density of the molten metal acts as a wringer to keep the plasticized coating very thin when drawn out of the bath.This is a division of application Ser. No. 500,411 , filed Aug. 26, 1974.