Abstract: In the box annealing of ferrous metal sheets, the occurrence of carbon deposits and staining is materially reduced by initially heating the sheet in a protective atmosphere which is essentially a mixture of N.sub.2 and H.sub.2 and then modifying the atmosphere so that during the soak period it contains at least about 3% CO.sub.2, 3% CO, 4% H.sub.2 and 0.5% H.sub.2 O, balance N.sub.2. Atmosphere modification is effected only after the sheet portions, which are exposed to the protective atmosphere, reach a predetermined, minimum replacement temperature within the range 1000.degree. - 1400.degree.F.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the high current density electroplating of recessed configurations such as inside corners or depressions. The apparatus employs a housing member, the front face of which has a number of closely spaced ports for the discharge of electrolyte jets which impinge upon the recessed configuration. The anode, supported within the housing, is non-consumable so as to prevent soluble anode products from depositing within the recessed configuration. Uniform plating is achieved by a new principle termed "coalescent jets" which requires a critical correlation between (i) the applied voltage, (ii) the force of the electrolyte jets, (iii) the size of the ports, (iv) the distance between ports and (v) the distance between the front face of the housing and the recessed configuration undergoing electroplating.