Abstract: A process is disclosed for the continuous thermochemical treatment of metal strip. It is useful with steel strip, of the oxidation-reduction type, in which the strip moves through a furnace in a protective atmosphere. The strip passes through at least one partial or total isolation device positioned within one or more sections of the furnace. The strip is heated in this isolation device in atmospheres having a dew point tailored to each strip according to the specific composition of the steel so that the atmosphere is oxidizing in the case of certain addition elements, but remains reducing in the case of iron.

Abstract: Method of reducing the wrinkles formed in heating zones, by radiant tubes, of continuous heat treatment lines for metal strip, such as annealing or galvanizing lines, the said strip passing over transporting and/or return rollers in the said furnaces, the said method, which consists in modifying the thermal state of the rollers, being characterized in that the said modification is made directly by varying the heating by the said radiant tubes located near the rollers, thereby directly controlling the heat flux emitted by the radiant tubes towards the rollers.

Abstract: Method of making safe a heat treatment enclosure operating under a gas atmosphere, the said enclosure comprising a cooling chamber for rapidly cooling a metal strip running from an upstream chamber to a downstream chamber by means of a plurality of guide rollers, wherein said rapid cooling chamber is filled with a controlled atmosphere with a high hydrogen content and said strip is confined within said rapid cooling chamber by means of at least one pressure-balancing duct and of a plurality of gas locks placed between the various chambers, the pressures of the gas atmospheres between the chambers being balanced by means of ducts controlling the flow rates of the gas flowing through the said gas locks.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the continuous thermochemical treatment of metal strip. It is useful with steel strip, of the oxidation-reduction type, in which the strip moves through a furnace in a protective atmosphere. The strip passes through at least one partial or total isolation device positioned within one or more sections of the furnace. The strip is heated in this isolation device in atmospheres having a dew point tailored to each strip according to the specific composition of the steel so that the atmosphere is oxidizing in the case of certain addition elements, but remains reducing in the case of iron.

Abstract: Method of reducing the wrinkles formed in heating zones, by radiant tubes, of continuous heat treatment lines for metal strip, such as annealing or galvanizing lines, the said strip passing over transporting and/or return rollers in the said furnaces, the said method, which consists in modifying the thermal state of the rollers, being characterized in that the said modification is made directly by varying the heating by the said radiant tubes located near the rollers, thereby directly controlling the heat flux emitted by the radiant tubes towards the rollers.

Abstract: Method of making safe a heat treatment enclosure operating under a gas atmosphere, the said enclosure comprising a cooling chamber for rapidly cooling a metal strip running from an upstream chamber to a downstream chamber by means of a plurality of guide rollers, wherein said rapid cooling chamber is filled with a controlled atmosphere with a high hydrogen content and said strip is confined within said rapid cooling chamber by means of at least one pressure-balancing duct and of a plurality of gas locks placed between the various chambers, the pressures of the gas atmospheres between the chambers being balanced by means of ducts controlling the flow rates of the gas flowing through the said gas locks.

Abstract: Method for eliminating vibration of strip travelling continuously through zones of a heat treatment or coating line in which gas is blown onto a strip travelling continuously, particularly through devices which effect cooling by blowing gas in jets with which the lines for the continuous heat treatment or coating of metal strip are equipped, characterized in that this method consists in adjusting the pressure and/or the flow rate of the cooling gas to a value lower than the nominal value in a zone located at one edge of the strip, on one side thereof, and to a value lower than the nominal value on the opposite edge, located on the other side of the strip.