(19)

(11)

EP 1 027 180 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 16.08.2000 Bulletin 2000/33 (21) Application number: 98954632.0 (22) Date of filing: 18.11.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B22C 9/04, B22D 18/06 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9803/472 (87) International publication number: WO 9925/511 (27.05.1999 Gazette 1999/21)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE (30) Priority: 19.11.1997 GB 9724568 (71) Applicant: The Castings Development Centre Sheffield S2 3PT (GB)	(72) Inventor: ASHTON, Michael, Cornelius Sheffield S17 4QB (GB) (74) Representative: Waddington, Richard et al Appleyard Lees,15 Clare Road Halifax HX1 2HY Halifax HX1 2HY (GB)