Abstract: A reinforced composite tubular body comprises a metallic reinforcement of helical convolutions completely embedded in a tubular body of thermosetting polymer which has a coefficient of elongation at rupture less than 15%. The reinforcement comprises at least one metallic reinforcing strip wound helically around the longitudinal axis of the tubular body so as to form a plurality of successive helical convolutions completely embedded in the wall thickness of the tubular body and separated from one another by the polymeric material. The extent of overlap of adjacent helical convolutions is at least equal to e.multidot..sigma..sub.r /2.tau. where e designates the thickness of the strip, .sigma..sub.r the ultimate breaking strength of the strip and .tau. the shear strength of the metallic strip/polymeric material interface.

Abstract: A filiform workpiece such as a metal wire is advanced at high speed, after passage through several pretreatment baths, in a vertically upward direction through a closed-ended nozzle of a crucible by way of a lower inlet aperture and an upper outlet aperture of that nozzle which is completely filled with a thermally fusible coating material (e.g. zinc). A guide tube adjustably seated in the inlet aperture has an inner diameter substantially equaling that of the workpiece to be coated whereas the outlet aperture, formed by a collar of a substance which is not wettable by the coating material, has a diameter about two to three times as large. A short residence time of less than 5.multidot.10.sup.-2 second for any given point of the workpiece in the molten mass holds down the temperature of the workpiece and results in rapid hardening of the coating material upon emergence from the bath.