(19)

(11)

EP 1 543 172 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 21.10.2004 (43) Date of publication: 22.06.2005 Bulletin 2005/25 (21) Application number: 03753690.1 (22) Date of filing: 24.09.2003

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C22B 34/12, C22B 9/22, C22B 9/14, C25C 3/28, B22F 5/00, B22F 3/18 (86) International application number: PCT/GB2003/004093 (87) International publication number: WO 2004/029332 (08.04.2004 Gazette 2004/15)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK (30) Priority: 25.09.2002 GB 0222219 26.09.2002 GB 0222358 26.09.2002 GB 0222348 (71) Applicant: Qinetiq Limited London, SW1E 6PD (GB)

(72) Inventors: WARD-CLOSE, Charles MalcolmQinetiQ Limited Farnborough GU14 0LX (GB) GODFREY, Alastair BryanQinetiQ Limited Farnborough GU14 0LX (GB) GOODWIN, Paul StephenCasting Technology Int. Sheffield S2 3PT (GB) (74) Representative: Bowdery, Anthony Oliver  QinetiQ Group plc,Cody Technology Park,IP Formalities,A4 Bldg, Rm G016,Ively Road Farnborough, Hants GU14 0LX Farnborough, Hants GU14 0LX (GB)