Abstract: The invention refers to a process for the preparation of carbon steel wire for cables and springs and having an improved resistance to corrosion. The invention is characterized in that in a first step, a conventional hot galvanizing bath (bath No. 1) is used for plating, and in a second plating step, a bath (bath No. 2) is used consisting of an alloy of zinc and one or more of the metals Sn, Cd, Al, Pb, Cu and Ni, at a temperature not less than 30.degree. C. and not more than 75.degree. C. above the liquidus temperature of said alloy composition. The wire thus treated is used for the preparation of cables and springs.

Abstract: A process is provided for coating a ferrous metal article, e.g. steel or iron, with a corrosion resistant surface layer comprising first coating said article with a layer of nickel and/or cobalt, heating said coated article for a time less than 45 minutes at a temperature in excess of 725.degree. C and then applying to said first metal layer an additional layer of at least one of the metals selected from the group consisting of chromium, tin, lead, zinc, copper and cadmium.

Abstract: A case-hardened, corrosion-resistant steel article is provided which comprises, applying a coating of nickel and/or cobalt to the surface of the article and then subjecting said coated article to carburization by heating said coated article to and maintaining it at an austenitic temperature under carburizing conditions for a time sufficient to effect carbon diffusion into the surface of the steel article. The corrosion resistance of the steel may be further enhanced by applying a thin layer of a final metal coat selected from the group consisting of Cr, Sn, Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd.