Abstract: Disclosed is a phosphated steel product and a method for producing the product. The method comprises passing at least one side of a steel strip through a molten bath of a metal selected from the group consisting of Zn-Al and Zn-Fe to form a first coating, electroplating a second coating consisting of essentially a pure metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe and Ni onto the first coating and subjecting the exposed surface of the second coating to a phosphating treatment to form a phosphate coating on the second coating.

Abstract: The metallic strip is displaced in a non-oxidizing gaseous atmosphere above and at a small distance from the surface of the coating bath and in contact with a coating cylinder driven to rotate in a direction opposite the direction of travel of the strip, so as to transfer onto the lower surface of the strip a thick layer of the coating material. Apparatus is arranged downstream of the coating cylinder to produce a jet of non-oxidizing gas directed to extend over the entire width of the strip, so as to adjust to a predetermined value the thickness of the coating layer.