Abstract: A method for preparing element diffusion-type composite substrate and it belongs to the field of high-temperature coated superconductor substrate preparation. The rolled composite nickel-tungsten alloy substrate is heated and thermally insulated, meanwhile, both ends of the rolled substrate are applied with a low voltage and high current density pulse current. High-performance nickel-tungsten alloy composite substrate is obtained with the method in the present invention and the sandwich-like composite substrate has low ferromagnetism and high strength due to higher solute diffusion from inner layer to outer layer, yet which does not affect the formation of sharp cubic texture on the surface of the composite substrate.

Abstract: The invention discloses a process and apparatus for micro-treating an iron-based alloy including heating and immediately quenching to room temperature to produce high tensile iron-based alloy with varying thicknesses. The process may or may not be practiced with or without tension, under various controllable tensions in order to create desirable effects. The micro-treated iron-based alloy contains desirable bainite to increase its formability and tensile strength. The varying thickness of the iron-based alloys is desirable for different applications, such as forming automobile panels.

Abstract: A cooling tank for the thermal treatment of the head of rails, whose frame allows obtaining a stable and on average uniform flow of the cooling fluid which touches the head of the immersed rail along the entire tank, with the continuous exchange of the fluid so as to optimize the cooling speed of the head of the rail.

Abstract: A device for guiding a strip through a liquid contained in a tank, includes an immersed diverting roller, in particular a roller immersed in a bath of liquid metal such as zinc, mounted rotatably about an axis on two aligned supporting shafts extending through two respective side walls of the tank, and each rotating in a centering bearing positioned outside of the tank. Each bearing of one shaft of the roller includes two rotary supporting members mounted in a fixed housing and spaced apart from each other, namely an outer supporting member and an inner supporting member. The housing of the bearing is held against a support plane formed on the wall and perpendicular to the axis of a hole through which the shaft passes. The wall has measures for centering the housing on the axis.

Abstract: System and method to harden rails by cooling, in a cooling medium, at least one part of a respective rail cross-section of a rail over an entire length of the rail. The system includes a cross displacement device arranged in an area of a roller table, at least one coolant container containing the cooling medium, a manipulation gripper structured and arranged to move the rail, and at least one positioning device comprising substantially horizontally aligned holding components having fittings structured and arranged to support a foot portion of the rail such that the rail hangs from the fittings.

Abstract: A cooling unit, a heating-cooling operation including a cooling unit, a rod or wire manufacturing system, a method for manufacturing a rod or wire, a method for heat treating of a rod or wire, a method for treating metal, a steel rod or steel wire, and a treated metal having an improved tensile strength are disclosed. The cooling unit includes at least one adaptable quenching zone and at least one adaptable soaking zone. The at least one adaptable quenching zone is capable of quenching to a soaking temperature. The at least one adaptable soaking zone is capable of maintaining substantially the soak temperature.

Abstract: System and method for hardening rails by cooling, in a cooling medium, at least one part of a respective rail cross-section of a rail over an entire length of the rail. The system includes a cross displacement device arranged in an area of a roller table, at least one positioning device, at least one coolant container containing the cooling medium, a manipulation gripper comprising a plurality of pincers and being structured and arranged to move the rail. The method includes at least one of moving the rail from the roller table to the at least one coolant container positioning the rail into the at least one positioning device via the manipulation gripper, as well as moving the rail into the coolant medium with the at least one positioning device.

Abstract: A metal film-plating system including an unwinding process part configured to provide a film, a degreasing process part configured to remove impurities from the film, an etching process part configured to perform an etching process on the film, a neutralizing process part configured to perform a neutralizing process on the film, a coupling process part configured to couple the neutralized film with a coupling agent, a catalyst-adding process part configured to adsorb a catalyst onto the coupled film, an underplating process part configured to perform an underplating process on the film, and a plating process part configured to perform a plating process on the film. Further, at least one of the unwinding process part, the degreasing process part, the etching process part, the neutralizing process part, the coupling process part, the catalyst-adding process part, the underplating process part, and the plating process part includes a wetting apparatus configured to perform a wetting operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continuously creating a bainite structure in a carbon steel, especially a strip steel. The method comprises the following steps: the carbon steel (1) is austenitized (3) at a temperature exceeding the austenitizing temperature; the austenitized carbon steel (1) is introduced into a bath (2) containing a quenching agent (21) in order to cool the carbon steel (1) to a temperature lying below the austenitizing temperature; the carbon steel (1) is adjusted to the transformation temperature for bainite and is maintained (13) at the transformation temperature for a certain period of time; and the carbon steel is then cooled (17).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quenching steel plates after they come from an austenitizing furnace. The plates are rotated to a vertical orientation and rapidly submerged into a water bath while being held flat between reciprocating rolls. The superior uniformity and severity of the quench produces plates of commercial flatness and uniform mechanical properties throughout in an apparatus of simple construction and low energy consumption.

Abstract: A pickling tank for the continuous treatment of a steel strip includes a pickling trough and a recovery tank separated from one another by a linkage that allows for limited movement between the trough and recovery tank. The recovery tank includes a pair of press rollers to remove pickling solution from the steel strip. The linkage includes a chute extending from the trough to the recovery tank to contain the pickling solution while allowing for differences between thermal expansion between the pickling trough and recovery tank. In one embodiment, the chute is coupled to the pickling trough and has a free end inserted into the recovery tank. In a second embodiment, the chute includes two telescoping members extending between the trough and recovery tank.

Abstract: Process and equipment for pickling a metal strip, in particular a rolled strip, by means of a pickling plant, through which the metal strip passes and in which the metal strip is pickled using a pickling liquid, the pickling result being a function of pickling parameters. The pickling result is measured and at least one pickling parameter is automatically varied, as a function of the measurement of the pickling result, so as to improve the pickling result.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production and heat treatment of coiled elongated metal product of relatively small cross section, such as rods, bars and wire-rod material, is described. The elements required for the conduct of a variety of heat treatments can be performed on coiled product in a substantially continuous manner through the use of a ring conveyor with which the coilers of various process lines and a heat treating furnace communicate. Methods for performing various heat treatments using the described apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: When a hot-rolled steel strip 1 is rolled at a large rolling reduction by a cold-rolling mill 4, cracking and interlayer peeling occur in those mill-scales which can not keep up with the elongation of base steel so as to weaken the adhesiveness of the mill-scales to the base steel. When such a steel strip is then brushed, the threads of the brush penetrate into the cracks formed in the scale layer, whereby the mill-scales are removed from the steel strip. The rolling reduction R (%) is set to satisfy the formula of t×R≧150 in relation with the thickness t (&mgr;m) of the mill-scales. The mill-scales weakened in adhesiveness by the heavy-duty rolling are removed from the surface of the steep strip 1 by brush rolls 5 provided in the pass of the steel strip 1 between the cold-rolling mill 4 and the bridle rolls 5.

Abstract: A pressurized water drain apparatus, for cooling rolling stock, has a pressurized cooling pipe heat exchanger for applying water through nozzle heads onto the rolling stock in a parallel flow and a storage chamber at an outlet of the cooling pipe heat exchanger. The storage chamber includes a deflection system with guiding funnels, a rolling stock outlet and a water outlet. A steam-barrier chamber is connected to the rolling stock outlet of the storage chamber and has a guide funnel with a diameter B and a bifurcated pipe with an input at a top of the steam barrier-chamber and ducts extending down sides of the steam-barrier chamber with outlets opening into the steam-barrier chamber below the guide funnel a distance A.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has an inner pipe inside of which a product travels, the inner pipe having a perforated lateral wall, an outer pipe surrounding the inner pipe and formed as a jacket, a plurality of flanges extending between the inner pipe and the outer pipe to form a plurality of segments, a plurality of supply passages each communicating with a segment of first group of segments for supplying a cooling liquid into a space between the outer pipe and the inner pipe, a plurality of discharge passage each communicating with one segment of a second group of the segments for discharging the cooling liquid from a space between the outer pipe and the inner pipe, each of the segments of the first group with which one of the supply passages is connected being located between two segments of the second group with which the discharge passages are connected.

Abstract: In-line flat-rolled steel cleansing and finishing methods and apparatus are disclosed which enable flat-rolled steel, as supplied with surface areas contaminated with iron fines and other debris from gauge reduction operations, to be continuously processed in-line, free of interruptions for cleansing purposes. Continuous-strip methods and apparatus are disclosed which enable in-line continuous-strip cleansing in a manner which decreases iron fines carried by strip surfaces to a desired level while providing for continuous uniform cleansing. Carry-over of iron fines from the cleansing operations so decreases such that iron content of a coating means is decreased resulting in improved corrosion-protection coating. Diminishing iron content in a hot-dip galvanizing bath increases efficiency of aluminum additions and diminishes iron-aluminum dross.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for making semi-finished products in the form of thin metal bars having a width-gauge ratio of over 60 and a maximum sheet metal gauge tolerance of 2%. A metal profile is fed continuously and upwardly through a pool of melt material having the same composition as the metal profile so as to form a coated metal profile. The metal profile is fed at a rate which would result in a coated metal profile having a thickness of at least three times that of the uncoated metal profile. The coated metal profile is subjected to a smoothing pass between a pair of smoothing rolls when the mean temperature in the crystallized layer of the coated metal profile meets a given condition. The smoothing rolls are adjustably disposed inside a housing at a distance of 0.5 to 5 m from the melt pool surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of forming a metal coated with a polymer is achieved through the provision of a reservoir containing a cooling liquid having a relative undisturbed upper surface. A metal coated with a polymer is introduced into the cooling liquid through the upper surface and is subject to quenching liquid at a temperature T.sub.q directed at the polymer coated metal substantially immediately below the cooling liquid upper surface and substantially along the entire predetermined width thereof. This achieves rapid and uniform cooling in the absence of bubble formation and/or quenching liquid surface agitation to assure desired crystalline formation of the polymer absent the polymer blemishes.

Abstract: A bubble-actuated pump is used for removing dross from the surface of a bath of molten metal. A modification of the pump is employed for delivering molten metal to the dross for diluting it.

Abstract: A fabricated bubble operated pump for diluting dross in a steel treating bath.

Abstract: An installation for pickling rolled metal strip in order to remove oxides formed thereon. The strip is fed horizontally through an acid solution bath over a series of deflecting rollers rotating about axes perpendicular to the feed direction of the strip and defining, within a single vessel, outward and return paths comprising at least three superposed sections, and walls dividing the vessel into at least two superposed treatment cells of a height which is low enough for the treatment liquid to be driven along by the feeding of the strip by pumping action.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a continuous, shallow bath plastic pickling tank for carbon or stainless steel strip or product. The present invention provides first and second end stands spaced from each other and secured to a foundation with a trough extending between the end stands anchored at the center and adapted to receive a pickling acid therein. An expandable seal according to the present invention couples each end stand with the trough with the seal specifically allowing for the thermal expansion of the trough relative to the stands while prohibiting the escape of pickling acid or fumes. The invention includes a device to allow for cleaning of the seal with cleaning fluid such as flushing water.

Abstract: An installation for treating metal strip comprising a pickling line made up of a series of tanks filled with a pickling solution heated to a certain temperature, and through which the metal strip is successively passed before passing into a cold rolling mill, each tank being associated with an arrangement for adjusting the temperature of the solution in the tank, according to its position in the line. The installation comprises at least one complementary heating arrangement associated with a regulation system for maintaining the solution at the desired temperature according to variations in overall energy conditions, and comprising a heat pump for recovering at least part of the heat needed from a cooking circuit of the cold rolling mill.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling hot ceramic articles from above and below with steam and water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for the hardening of elongate workpieces by means of an inductor 19. The apparatus comprises a rotary ring 3 mounted to rotate around a horizontal axis in a hardening basin 1 and having a number of retaining devices 11 by means of which each of individual workpieces 16 is retained horizontally and rotatably around its longitudinal axis. To improve the hardening result and increase the degree of automation of the apparatus and process, associated with each retaining device 11 for connection to a central driving shaft 2 is an adjustable clutch-brake unit 7, and the retaining device 11 is drivable by the driving shaft 2 in a first position, is uncoupled from the driving shaft 2 and freely rotatable in a second position and is braked in relation to the rotary ring 3 in a third position. By these steps each of the workpieces 16 disposed on the rotary ring 3 can perform rotary movements independently of one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivery of rolled stock wound into coils, especially of wire from a reel-up device and for transfer of the rolled stock coils onto conveyance arrangements located downstream, wherein the reel-up and conveyance arrangements are installation components of a rolling mill with one or more rolling lines for wire, light or medium section steel, which essentially comprises a furnace installation for the rolling stock used, as well as a breakdown train, intermediate train and, if necessary, a finishing train for the rolling stock. The delivery and transfer apparatus may be provided with a liftable, as well as horizontally displaceable support panel, which can also be swiveled in a carousel-like manner for the wound rolled stock coils and one or more reeling arrangements and one or more conveyance arrangements may be disposed in the peripheral region of the swiveling path of the support panel.

Abstract: A conveyor defines a path along which hot rolled steel rod is transported in the form of overlapping mutually offset rings. Air nozzles are arranged beneath the conveyor path to direct air upwardly against the rings from underlying plenum chambers fed by motor driven fans. Additional water nozzles are arranged to apply water to the rings. Some of the thus applied water is vaporized by the heat of the rod, and the remainder of the water is drained through the air nozzles into the plenum chambers for subsequent removal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for avoiding the formation of impurities in a coating produced by hot-dip galvanizing of an object in a zinc bath. One or more flows of molten and pure zinc are, in a container, provided which are directed towards a surface region (4), i.e. the working surface (4), where the object passes on being immersed in and raised from the bath, respectively. As a rule, a surface flow is caused to pass from the one edge region (27) of the container, to its other edge region (29), any possible impurities (6) located on the surface of the bath being displaced from the working surface. The apparatus according to the disclosure includes a pump (25a) which, via a discharge pipe (33) supplies molten zinc to a gutter (26) in the upper region of a container (10). Opposing the gutter, the container is provided with a channel (31). The gutter and channel, respectively, have opposing walls with respective edges (27) and (29) over which molten zinc passes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a part-handling apparatus for a heat-treating furnace system and its use in transferring parts such as bearing races into, through, and out of a quench tank while avoiding any part-to-part contact and thus preventing nicking of parts. The apparatus includes a charge elevator formed of closely-spaced rails divided into lanes and which lowers parts into a quench fluid. A walking beam system for moving parts along the tank has movable rails which mesh with stationary rails and with the rails of the charge and discharge elevators when the elevators are located in their lowermost positions and includes a frame which is movable vertically and longitudinally. A push-off device near the tank discharge end pushes parts from the discharge elevator either directly onto an in-line conveyor of a washer or tempering furnace or onto a rotatable arm which alters the travel path of the parts a selected angle such as 90 degrees before delivering the parts to the conveyor of the washer to temper furnace.

Abstract: In the manufacture of formable steel strip having a thickness between 0.5 and 1.5 mm, the following process steps are performed sequentially in a continuous process:(a) in a continuous casting machine forming liquid steel into a hot slab having a thickness of less than 100 mm,(b) hot rolling the hot slab from step (a), in the austenitic region and below 1100.degree. C., to form strip having a thickness of between 2 and 5 mm,(c) cooling the strip from step (b) to a temperature between 300.degree. C. and the temperature T.sub.t at which 75% of the steel is converted to ferrite,(d) rolling the cooled strip from step (c) at said temperature between 300.degree. C. and T.sub.t with a thickness reduction of at least 25% at a rolling speed not more than 1000 m/min.,(e) coiling the rolled strip from step (d).

Abstract: A rotary basket winder with water cooling for winding a material includes a tank in the shape of an open topped point containing a rotatable winding carrier with two upwardly extending concentrically arranged rings of winding rods defining an annular winding space between them. A stationary guide pipe leads material into the winding space. A winding disk can be raised and lowered within the tank. Previously, in rotary winding baskets, the problem has been to effect uniform cooling, particularly in the center of the winding basket because of the formation of a funnel, and to afford trouble-free annular delivery after the winding process with high-strength work material characteristics. In the present rotary basket winder, coolant openings are located in the upper part of the tank and are arranged to recirculate a sufficient quantity of coolant into the center of the tank from above.

Abstract: A method for heating a metallic strand 16 such as a wire or strip comprises passing the strand 16 along a metallic tube 4 which is filled with molten metal 13, the tube wall being heated by a furnace chamber 3 through which the tube 4 extends.

Abstract: A process of producing cold rolled stainless steel strip, according to the invention, includes preliminary treatment for hot rolled stainless steel strip, in which preliminary treatment, hot rolled stainless steel strip is, at first, treated through annealing and picking process and is subsequently subject cold rolling without introducing rolling mill lubricant at a reduction of more than 5%. The process of preliminary treatment for preparation of cold rolling is useful for producing high surface brightness cold rolled stainless steel strip, which can achieve both of satisfactory quality and high efficiency.

Abstract: A multifunction apparatus for the direct heat treatment of a medium- to high-carbon steel rod in a lower quench line and the treatment of low carbon steel in an upper quench line. A hot-rolled rod is transported on a conveyor in the form of a sequence of non-concentric rings, the conveyor, being operative between a first position in contact with the lower quench line and a second position in the upper cooling line. In the lower quench line the rod is subjected to controlled cooling in a coolant so that the greater part of any austenite in the entire length of the rod is substantially uniformly transformed to a fine pearlite structure. A heat holding vessel is operated under conditions that transforms any residual defects into pearlite.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement of final cooling of the steel strip by immersing in cooling water, which strip has been cooled through a cooling zone in a continuous heat treating line. The improvement is achieved by injecting cooling water to the surface of the immersed strip to rapidly cool the strip to a predetermined temperature until the strip reaches the first sink-roll and resulted in that any dirt adhesion on the surface of the strip caused by contacting with the first sink-roll is prevented without increment of cooling cost.

Abstract: The process controls the cooling of a metal sheet so as to impart thereto a predetermined crystalline structure. The sheet to be cooled is passed through a case containing a mass of regularly renewed cooling fluid. The flow of the cooling fluid is controlled as a function of the inlet temperature of this fluid, in accordance with the thickness of the sheet to be cooled and the desired cooling rate.

Abstract: A steel strip which has been cooled through a cooling zone in a continuous heat treating line is finally cooled by immersing in cooling water in a cooling tank under the controlling in accordance with the following formula:- ##EQU1## With such controlling of cooling, any dirt adhesion on the surface of the strip caused by contacting with a sink-roll is prevented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing spherical objects is disclosed, the apparatus having a reservoir filled with a relatively dense molten material, the reservoir being heated and hydraulically pressurized to maintain the molten state of the dense material. A second molten liquid, of lesser density and higher melting point is injected into the reservoir, the pressure and surface tension acting to force the injected material into a spherical form and the melting point difference acting to solidify the injected material.

Abstract: An apparatus used in combination with a hot-rolling line having a succession of roll stands through which passes a strip workpiece in a horizontal transport direction has at least one vessel downstream of the roll stands in the direction and aligned in the direction therewith. This vessel is formed with an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet. A bath of a liquid coolant fills the vessel to a level above the inlet and outlet openings. Guides draw the workpiece from the roll stands into the inlet, through the vessel, and out of the outlet thereof. Thus the workpiece is wholly immersed in and cooled by the liquid coolant within the vessel. A pump feeds fresh coolant into the vessel and withdraws hot coolant therefrom. A plurality of such vessels, each with a respective bath and pump means, is provided with all of the inlets and outlets aligned. The inlet and outlet are formed as horizontally extending slots closely conforming the cross-sectional shape of the workpiece.

Abstract: It is known to anneal non-ferrous strip material by passing the strip continuously around a pair of spaced pulleys and effecting a short circuit between the incoming and outgoing strip material to form a closed electrical loop of continuously moving strip material around the pulleys. The material in the closed moving loop is heated to anneal temperature by inserting an induction coil in the run around the pulleys so that under electrical inductive effects a current is induced in the loop thus raising its temperature. The incoming and outgoing strip material overlaps in the groove of one of the pulleys, the incoming material being fed into the loop formation at the point of overlap in a spiralling path which leads or directs the strip laterally and towards the plane of the annealing loop. Loading of the pulleys is thus made easier, arcing and sparking is avoided at overlap, and the life of the system is extended.

Abstract: A system for the treatment of continuous metal webs facilitates both continuous annealing and hot-dip coating operations interchanging from annealing to a combined annealing and coating, and vice-versa. The system has an annealing station common to both operations as well as web feed and discharge sections and web entry storage and web discharge storage stations associated therewith.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat treating and especially annealing of elongate metallic materials such as wire wherein the wire (24) given a longer length exposure to complete the heat treatment of the wire at higher line speeds. This is accomplished either by adding a heated storage chamber (41) holding a great length of wire (24) in sequence with conventional or modified annealing apparatus, or by substitution of a special apparatus (100) for the existing conventional annealing apparatus.

Abstract: A steel strip heated to a temperature above a recrystallization temperature is passed through a cooling unit including a plurality of cooling rollers cooled by cooling water flowing through the interior thereof. The steel strip is caused to pass alternately about upper and lower surfaces of the cooling rollers. By raising and lowering alternate cooling rollers, the contact angle and therefore the contact area, i.e., the contact time between the strip and the cooling rollers is varied to change the cooling rate. When the cooling rollers are separated from the strip. Cooling water is filled into the cooling unit to directly cool the strip. Cooling gas may be ejected against the strip before it enters into the cooling unit.

Abstract: The continuous steel-sheet heat-treatment plant comprises, in sequence, a zone in which the sheet is heated to a temperature above the recrystallization temperature, a zone in which the sheet is held at this temperature for more than 30 seconds, a rapid cooling zone, an optional overaging zone, and a final cooling zone. The rapid cooling zone has devices for spraying a cooling fluid and a tank containing an aqueous bath at above 75.degree. C.

Abstract: A continuous hardening device of steel plate of a type wherein steel plate is continuously cooled and hardened by cooling water. The cooling water is continuously supplied into and exhausted out of a water vessel (10) provided in the path of the steel plate for cooling the same. A plurality of rollers (16, 18) supporting the steel plate on the upper and lower sides thereof to feed the same and a plurality of paddle wheels (32, 34) having axial shafts disposed in parallel with the rollers (16, 18) are provided in the water vessel (10). Each paddle wheel (32, 34) is disposed between adjacent rollers and close to the steel plate, and stirs and causes the cooling water to flow along the surface of the steel plate with a predetermined relative speed maintained between the cooling water and the steel plate. The cooling and hardening efficiency of the steel plate is substantially improved by the relative movement of the cooling water and the steel plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for coiling and cooling wire rod comprises a turn-laying head, a coil receiver below the head, movable downwards to maintain a constant distance between the head and the top of the coil, and a cooling tank which is vertically movable. In an upper position the cooling tank contains the coil receiver and coil, and in a lower position the cooling tank is lower than the coil receiver, so that the coil can be conveyed horizontally away from the coil receiver. A coil mandrel is mounted in the cooling tank. Two such devices can be provided side by side with a common drive arranged to raise one cooling tank while lowering the other.

Abstract: A metallurgical product, e.g. wire rod emerging from a hot rolling mill, is subjected to controlled cooling by immersing it in a bath, e.g. an aqueous bath, kept at a given temperature. During immersion, the bath is stirred, e.g. mechanically or by means of a fluid. In a controlled cooling installation a cover arranged above the bath has a condenser for recovering vapor from the bath.

Abstract: A method and machine for recovering silver and polyester from exposed photographic X-ray film of the type having a polyester base coated with a sheath of polyvinyladine chloride and a photosensitive silver emulsion. Sheets of the film are fed through baths of hot caustic which successively remove the silver emulsion and deposit it as a sludge from which the silver is recovered and remove the polyvinyladine coating to permit the polyester to be recovered in a commercially acceptable pure form. Where the film sheets may include some acetate based film, the apparatus will distinguish between the polyester and acetate and discard the acetate bases as scrap, after the silver emulsion has been removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for cooling wire rod and wire in which wire rod and wire leaving the last roll block of a finishing mill is delivered to a first portion of a cooling path for the cooling of wire or wire which slopes downwardly from a likewise inclined finishing block at an angle .alpha. of at least 3.degree. so that the wire rod or wire is subject to little or no compressive stress due to the friction between the wire rod or wire and the tube through which the latter passes in order to be subjected to cooling liquid. The wire rod or wire can be placed under tension if the angle of slope .alpha. is sufficiently large and, in an extreme case the first portion of the cooling path can decent vertically. A loop layer receives the wire rod or wire from the first portion and deposits the wire rod or wire in overlapping loops on conveying means where the wire rod or wire is air-cooled.