Abstract: An uneven patterned metal strip or plate is formed with an uneven pattern as a surface decorative pattern. The pattern is constituted of one or more pattern unit containing a plurality of uneven dot. Each of the uneven dots has a size D. The uneven dots are arranged in a predetermined density to have given ratio .eta. of occupying area versus plane area in said pattern unit. The size D and area ratio .eta. being in a range of:10.ltoreq.D.ltoreq.300 (.mu.m)30.ltoreq..eta..ltoreq.100 (%)and the size of said pattern unit has minimum length of 1 mm.

Abstract: A steel sheet for DI can having improved DI workability and resistance to die abrasion has such a surface profile that a center-line average surface roughness is within a range of 0.1.about.4.0 .mu.m and a microscopic shape is comprised of mountain portions, groove-like valley portions and middle flat portions satisfying particular dimension relations.

Abstract: A steel strip continuous annealing apparatus comprising: a steel strip feeder; a heating-soaking zone for heating and soaking the steel strip at a predetermined temperature; a first cooling zone for rapidly cooling the steel strip at a predetermined cooling rate; a second cooling zone for slowly cooling the steel strip or holding same at a predetermined temperature; a third cooling zone for cooling the steel strip to substantially the room temperature; and a steel strip carry-out device; wherein the first cooling zone incorporates therein forcible cooling means, the second cooling zone incorporates therein hot-cold change-over means and said forcible cooling means incorporated in the first cooling zone is provided thereon with self-cooling means; so that steel strips of various grades of steel different in required heat cycle to be applied thereto can be efficiently and stably annealed.

Abstract: A steel strip continuous annealing apparatus comprising: a steel strip feeder; a heating-soaking zone for heating and soaking a steel strip at a predetermined temperature; a first cooling zone for rapidly cooling the steel strip at a predetermined cooling rate; a second cooling zone for slowly cooling the steel strip or holding same at a predetermined temperature; a third cooling zone for cooling the steel strip to substantially room temperature; and a steel strip carryout device; wherein the first cooling zone incorporates therein forcible cooling means, the second cooling zone incorporates therein hot-cold change-over means and the third cooling zone incorporates therein forcible cooling means, while said steel strip continuous annealing apparatus further comprises: means for directly bypassing the steel strip from the heating-soaking zone through a first bypass passageway to the second cooling zone; and means for directly bypassing the steel strip from the first cooling zone through a second bypass passage