(19)

(11)

EP 1 017 879 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.07.2000 Bulletin 2000/28 (21) Application number: 98932651.7 (22) Date of filing: 09.07.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C23C 22/34, C23C 22/56, C23C 22/57, C23C 22/54, C23C 22/53, C25D 11/34, C25D 11/04, C25D 11/18, C25D 13/06, C25D 13/08 (86) International application number: PCT/NZ9800/097 (87) International publication number: WO 9902/759 (21.01.1999 Gazette 1999/03)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 11.07.1997 NZ 32831697 (71) Applicant: Magnesium Technology Limited Onehunga,Auckland (NZ)	(72) Inventors: MACCULOCH, John, Arnold Remuera,Auckland (NZ) ROSS, Philip, Nicholas Taradale,Napier (NZ) (74) Representative: Gold, Tibor Z. et al Stephenson HarwoodOne, St. Paul's Churchyard London EC4M 8SH London EC4M 8SH (GB)