METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING PLATING THICKNESS IN CONTINUOUS HOT DIPPING OF STEEL STRIP

PURPOSE:To control plating thickness uniformly irrespectively of the shapes of steel strips by pressing flexible members onto both surfaces of the steel strip right after hot dipping under controllable pressing forces thereby removing the excess hot dipping metal. CONSTITUTION:Flexible members 3 of smooth surfaces that can deform along the shapes of a steel strips which rises from a plating bath and on which the molten metal right after hot dipping is in an unsolidified state are disposed on both sides of the strip 1. These members 3 are pressed to the strip 1 via rods 8 by the operation of air cylinders 7 connecting to communicating pipes 5, whereby the excess molten metal stuck on the strip 1 is removed. Compressed air is supplied to said pipes 5 through pipes 6 via pressure reducing valves 9, and the pressing forces of the members 3 are controlled by regulating the air pressure with pressure gages 10. Covers 4 of the same properties as those of the members 3 are connected to the bottom sides of the members 3 to prevent the contact of the removed molten metal with the atmosphere and the oxidation thereof.