(19)

(11)

EP 0 961 840 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 08.12.1999 Bulletin 1999/49 (21) Application number: 98907077.0 (22) Date of filing: 26.02.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C21D 9/ 52( . ) C21D 1/ 25( . ) C21D 9/ 56( . ) C21D 1/ 78( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1998/000617 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/038346 (03.09.1998 Gazette 1998/35)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB SE (30) Priority: 26.02.1997 GB 19970003957 (71) Applicant: The L.S. Starrett Company Athol, MA 01331 (US)	(72) Inventor: LEE, Andrew, Peter Jedburgh, TD8 6DB (GB) (74) Representative: Newell, Campbell, et al  Cruikshank & Fairweather, 19 Royal Exchange Square Glasgow G1 3AE Glasgow G1 3AE (GB)