Abstract: A coiled metal sheet is placed in a container, which may be thereafter evacuated slowly with the strip outgassing, and then the highly evacuated container is sealed with the coiled strip therein. The evacuated container may be stored until ready to be mated with a high vacuum process chamber. The container is brought to the vacuum processing chamber and is connected thereto; and the coiled strip is unwound from the container and passed through the vacuum chamber, where it is treated while under a high vacuum. The treated strip is then preferably wound in a highly evacuated take-up container.