Abstract: A jet stripping apparatus comprises a stripping nozzle positioned to direct a stripping gas jet stream (11) against each side of a steel strip (7) emerging from a bath (8) of molten zinc or aluminium/zinc alloy with a layer (9) of bath material thereon, means to supply gas to said stripping nozzle at a pressure sufficient to liberate a relatively strong stripping jet stream (11) therefrom, and surface modifying means spaced closely below said stripping nozzle effective to smooth the surface of said layer (9) prior to it reaching the stripping jet stream (11). Said surface modifying means preferably comprise a smoothing nozzle positioned to direct a relatively weak surface modifying gas jet stream (18) against the layer (9) that is effective to smooth the layer but not to substantially affect the quantity of material passing it.

Abstract: A jet stripping apparatus includes two dual-nozzle assemblies (12) which, when in use, are disposed one on either side of an ascending, substantially vertical steel strip (10) which is to be partly stripped of a molten zinc or aluminium/zinc alloy coating (19). Each assembly comprises upper and lower elongate nozzles (13,14) extending transversely of the strip, a device to supply pressurized gas (15) to the nozzles for emergence therefrom as jet streams (20,21) directed towards the strip, and a reaction body (16) intermediate the nozzles defining a pressurized stabilizing zone (17) between itself and the strip. The lower jet streams are inclined downwardly at 5.degree. to the horizontal.