Abstract: A hot dip coating pot (2) having a strip inlet passage (3) and electro-magnetic plugging means to prevent leakage of bath liquid form the pot through that passage, wherein: the plugging means comprises two magnetic field generator (7) disposed one on each side of the passage; each generator projects an oscillating magnetic field into the passage from at least two poles of opposite polarity that are adjacent the passage and spaced apart in the through direction of the passage; the said at least two poles of each generator are respectively in substantial alignment with the corresponding poles of the other in the transverse direction of the passage; the magnetic field projected by the generators have flux patterns which are substantially mirror images with reference to a plane of reflection coinciding with a centre plane of the passage; and both generators operate at a frequency of more than seven kiloHertz. When no strip is present the fields combine and extend transversely of the passage.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for retarding a flow of molten metal to a metal caster. The flow of molten metal is confined within a duct 11 having an elongate cross-section transverse to the flow directions to shape the flow in a sheet formation. The sheet formation flow is subjected to a magnetic field extending through the flow transversely of the sheet formation and varying sinusoidally along the flow direction whereby to induce circulating electric currents in the molten metal which interact with the magnetic field to produce forces on the molten metal which retard the flow. The magnetic field may be induced by two sets 13 of permanent magnets 14 spaced one set to either side of the duct 11, the magnets 14 of each set being spaced along the flow direction and being of successively opposite magnetic polarity.