Abstract

In an apparatus and a method for the curing of a continuous length of curable material, the length of material is passed through a curing chamber defined by a tubular body 47. This body 47 is disposed in the upper part of another heated tubular body 2 which contains a heat exchange liquid. This liquid is fed to one or more injectors disposed at one or both ends of the body 47, injected along the chamber and then allowed to drain back therefrom into the body 2. The body 2 contains a further tubular body 58 downstream of and partitioned from the tubular body 47. Body 58 also has an injector 60 through which water is injected to cool the length of material. Tubular body 47 may be provided with drain holes through which heat exchange liquid can be quickly drained at the end of a curing run. It may also be provided with air vents or a longitudinal slot in its upper part to release trapped air. Devices for wiping heat exchange liquid clinging to the cured material on emergence from the curing chamber are also provided. With this relatively compact arrangement curing may be achieved while thermal stresses in the apparatus are reduced.