Abstract: Apparatus and method for improving the metal coating on metal parts immersed in a molten metal coating bath of a different composition. The apparatus comprises (a) a vacuum pump, (b) a buffer tank, (c) centrifuge having a drum, a cover for sealing the drum, a platform within the drum to receive the parts and means to spin the platform, and (d) valved lines connecting with the drum cover and connecting, respectively, with the buffer tank a source of gas at atmospheric pressure and a source of gas at greater than atmospheric pressure. The tank has a volume of at least 10 times the volume of the drum.

Abstract: An ultra-high strength steel composition of matter having a substantially martensitic matrix with a dispersion therein of a critical amount of metal oxide particles and characterized by increased resistance to environmental stress corrosion cracking. The metal oxide particles are selected from the group consisting of CaO, BaO, MgO, SrO and mixtures thereof, in the range of 0.1 to less than 3 mole percent. A powder metallurgy process to produce articles of manufacture from the composition of matter is disclosed.