EP1339886A1 - Nickel-based alloy composition for high thermal resistance elements, in particular for hot deformation process tools and for high temperature working - Google Patents

Nickel-based alloy composition for high thermal resistance elements, in particular for hot deformation process tools and for high temperature working

Info

Publication number
EP1339886A1
EP1339886A1 EP01999681A EP01999681A EP1339886A1 EP 1339886 A1 EP1339886 A1 EP 1339886A1 EP 01999681 A EP01999681 A EP 01999681A EP 01999681 A EP01999681 A EP 01999681A EP 1339886 A1 EP1339886 A1 EP 1339886A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
nickel
composition
thermal resistance
high temperature
content
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP01999681A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1339886B1 (en
Inventor
Andrea Centro Sviluppo Materiali S.p.A. CAROSI
Pietro Centro Sviluppo Materiali S.p.A. GIMONDO
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Centro Sviluppo Materiali SpA
Original Assignee
Centro Sviluppo Materiali SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Centro Sviluppo Materiali SpA filed Critical Centro Sviluppo Materiali SpA
Publication of EP1339886A1 publication Critical patent/EP1339886A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1339886B1 publication Critical patent/EP1339886B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C19/00Alloys based on nickel or cobalt
    • C22C19/03Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel
    • C22C19/05Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel with chromium
    • C22C19/051Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel with chromium and Mo or W
    • C22C19/056Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel with chromium and Mo or W with the maximum Cr content being at least 10% but less than 20%
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22CALLOYS
    • C22C19/00Alloys based on nickel or cobalt
    • C22C19/03Alloys based on nickel or cobalt based on nickel

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a Nickel-based composition for high thermal resistance elements, in particular for hot deformation tools and for high- temperature working. Specifically, this composition is suitable to the forming of tools apt to work under 10 extremely onerous thermal conditions, liable to be subjected to thermal cycles of wide thermal ranges.
  • Analogous tools are, e.g., dies, cutting tools and the like.
  • a field requiring high-performance compositions, 15 combined with a satisfactory machinability, is represented by forging, in which the die and the forged piece have the same temperature .
  • This technique enables to hot-roll products characterised by low thicknesses and volumes, yet 20 exhibiting stable and uniform mechanic properties.
  • thermomechanical distortions can substantially speed up the related manufacturing processes, dispensing with burdensome finishing interventions like grinding, shaping, etc.
  • Nickel-based composition is that of US Pat. No.5, 538, 683 (Pinnow et al . ) .
  • the technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a Nickel-based composition for high thermal resistance elements allowing to attain improved performances, with respect to the known art.
  • This problem is solved by a composition for high thermal resistance elements, in particular for hot deformation tools and for high temperature working, characterised in that it comprises: a Nickel (Ni) content ranging from 57.0% to 62.0%; a maximum Tungsten (W) content of 10.0%; and a maximum Iron (Fe) content of 1.5%.
  • the present invention further relates to a tool formed with the composition as hereto set forth, and in particular to such a forging die.
  • a tool formed with the composition as hereto set forth, and in particular to such a forging die.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a die-die block complex made with the composition according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic elevational view of a press employing the die of Fig. 1.
  • a forging-type die is indicated with 1.
  • Such a die when it is employed in the forming of metal workpieces, should be capable of being subjected to extremely elevated heating of up to 1100°C and above, to be subsequently cooled down with an optimum distortion control .
  • the temperatures are lower, yet the working conditions are equally severe, also in light of the fact that for this type of workpieces an elevated manufacturing speed and the utmost accuracy, sometimes such as to dispense with further finishing steps, are expected.
  • a die 1 comprises a (male) top counter plunger 2, housed in a suitable die block 3, and a bottom die block 4, housing a (female) matrix die 5.
  • a matrix die 5 Through the matrix die 5 two guide grooves 6 for inserting ejection tools, and at least one injection runner 7 having a profile divergent towards the inside of the former, are formed.
  • the counter plunger 2 and the matrix die 5 are connected by screw-type fastening means (not shown in Fig.) and dowel pins 8.
  • the press adjusting, cooling and injecting means 11 are of traditional type, and therefore a further description thereof will be omitted.
  • Ni Nickel
  • W Tungsten
  • Fe Iron
  • composition it has a Chromium (Cr) content of above 6%, moreover comprising Manganese (Mn) , Silica (Si) , Carbon (C) and Molybdenum (Mo) .
  • Example 1 Two embodiments of the abovedisclosed composition, of course by way of example and not for limitative purposes example, will hereinafter be disclosed.
  • Example 1 Two embodiments of the abovedisclosed composition, of course by way of example and not for limitative purposes example, will hereinafter be disclosed.
  • composition disclosed in the present example is used in order to obtain a material of elevated purity, of highly refined structure, and remarkable isotropic properties, the latter being particularly useful in dies subjected to remarkable mechanical stresses and in particular to thermal fatigue (e.g., dies for pressure die-casting, dies for hot-pressing and matrix dies for aluminium and copper alloy extrusions) .
  • composition disclosed in the present example is used in order to obtain a material enabling a decreased friction coefficient, also avoiding deformation and stress during ejection, in particular decreasing the sliding friction, important for an easy filling up of the cavities even at low temperatures and with a low pressure, and for an anticipated and easier post- solidification ejection.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Forging (AREA)
  • Powder Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Ceramic Products (AREA)
  • Compositions Of Oxide Ceramics (AREA)

Abstract

Nickel-based composition particularly suitable for high thermal resistance elements, in particular for hot deformation process tools and for high temperature working, like, e.g. dies for isothermal forming, comprising: a Nickel (Ni) content ranging from 57.0 % to 62.0 %; a maximum Tungsten (W) content of 10.0 % and a maximum Iron (Fe) content of 1.5 %. in Fig. a die for high temperature applications made of said composition is shown.

Description

NICKEL-BASED ALLOY COMPOSITION FOR HIGH THERMAL RESISTANCE ELEMENTS, IN PARTICULAR FOR HOT DEFORMATION PROCESS TOOLS AND FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE WORKING
DESCRIPTION 5 The present invention relates to a Nickel-based composition for high thermal resistance elements, in particular for hot deformation tools and for high- temperature working. Specifically, this composition is suitable to the forming of tools apt to work under 10 extremely onerous thermal conditions, liable to be subjected to thermal cycles of wide thermal ranges.
Analogous tools are, e.g., dies, cutting tools and the like.
A field requiring high-performance compositions, 15 combined with a satisfactory machinability, is represented by forging, in which the die and the forged piece have the same temperature .
This technique enables to hot-roll products characterised by low thicknesses and volumes, yet 20 exhibiting stable and uniform mechanic properties.
In several technological fields, tools and dies made of high-performance materials enable quicker and more accurate working. In the case of the dies, a low-wear holder block complex suffering from minimum 25 thermomechanical distortions can substantially speed up the related manufacturing processes, dispensing with burdensome finishing interventions like grinding, shaping, etc.
Moreover, reproduction accuracy is enhanced, even 30 after a high number of uses . These advantages become particularly important in the case of large-scale productions .
An example of a composition for tools and dies as abovementioned is taught in US Pat. No.5, 505, 798 35 (Nelson) .
Notable known compositions are the high Nickel ones (refer to "Development of a Die Material for Isothermal Forging of Superalloys in air" , Ohno, Watanabe, Nonomura, 110th ISIJ Meeting, October 1985) yet the performances attained are still unsatisfactory.
A further example of Nickel-based composition is that of US Pat. No.5, 538, 683 (Pinnow et al . ) .
The technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a Nickel-based composition for high thermal resistance elements allowing to attain improved performances, with respect to the known art. This problem is solved by a composition for high thermal resistance elements, in particular for hot deformation tools and for high temperature working, characterised in that it comprises: a Nickel (Ni) content ranging from 57.0% to 62.0%; a maximum Tungsten (W) content of 10.0%; and a maximum Iron (Fe) content of 1.5%.
The present invention further relates to a tool formed with the composition as hereto set forth, and in particular to such a forging die. Hereinafter, reference will be made to some preferred embodiments of the composition, by way of example and not for limitative purposes, and to the attached drawings, wherein:
* Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a die-die block complex made with the composition according to the invention; and
* Fig. 2 is a schematic elevational view of a press employing the die of Fig. 1.
In Fig. 1, a forging-type die is indicated with 1. Such a die, when it is employed in the forming of metal workpieces, should be capable of being subjected to extremely elevated heating of up to 1100°C and above, to be subsequently cooled down with an optimum distortion control . In the case of plastics workpieces the temperatures are lower, yet the working conditions are equally severe, also in light of the fact that for this type of workpieces an elevated manufacturing speed and the utmost accuracy, sometimes such as to dispense with further finishing steps, are expected.
In the present embodiment, as it is shown in Fig. 1, a die 1 comprises a (male) top counter plunger 2, housed in a suitable die block 3, and a bottom die block 4, housing a (female) matrix die 5. Through the matrix die 5 two guide grooves 6 for inserting ejection tools, and at least one injection runner 7 having a profile divergent towards the inside of the former, are formed.
The counter plunger 2 and the matrix die 5 are connected by screw-type fastening means (not shown in Fig.) and dowel pins 8.
The entire complex hereto disclosed is employed in a press 10 of the type depicted in Fig. 2, provided with suitable pressing and lifting means 11 apt to implement an adequate pressure inside of the die 1 during injection.
The press adjusting, cooling and injecting means 11 are of traditional type, and therefore a further description thereof will be omitted.
The matrix die 5, i.e. that section of the die 1 which contains the hot-injected material to be pressed, is made of a composition which, in its most general form, comprises: a Nickel (Ni) content ranging from 57.0% to 62.0%; A maximum Tungsten (W) content of 10.0%; and a maximum Iron (Fe) content of 1.5%.
According to a preferred embodiment of the composition, it has a Chromium (Cr) content of above 6%, moreover comprising Manganese (Mn) , Silica (Si) , Carbon (C) and Molybdenum (Mo) .
Two embodiments of the abovedisclosed composition, of course by way of example and not for limitative purposes example, will hereinafter be disclosed. Example 1
The composition disclosed in the present example is used in order to obtain a material of elevated purity, of highly refined structure, and remarkable isotropic properties, the latter being particularly useful in dies subjected to remarkable mechanical stresses and in particular to thermal fatigue (e.g., dies for pressure die-casting, dies for hot-pressing and matrix dies for aluminium and copper alloy extrusions) .
Example 2
The composition disclosed in the present example is used in order to obtain a material enabling a decreased friction coefficient, also avoiding deformation and stress during ejection, in particular decreasing the sliding friction, important for an easy filling up of the cavities even at low temperatures and with a low pressure, and for an anticipated and easier post- solidification ejection.
This entails a shortening of the pressing cycle, and the attainment of an enhanced quality and of an increase of the maintenance interval .
* * *
To the abovedescribed composition a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy further and contingent needs, may effect several further modifications and variants, all however encompassed by the protective scope of the present invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A Nickel-based composition for high thermal resistance elements, in particular for hot deformation tools and for high temperature working, characterised in that it comprises: a Nickel (Ni) content ranging from 57.0% to 62.0%; a maximum Tungsten (W) content of 10.0%; and a maximum Iron (Fe) content of 1.5%.
2. The composition according to claim 1, comprising a Chromium (Cr) content of above 6%. '■
3. The composition according to claim 1, comprising Iron (Fe) , Manganese (Mn) , Chrome (Cr) , Silica (Si) , Carbon (C) , Nickel (Ni) , Molybdenum (Mo) , Tungsten (W) .
4. The composition according to claim 2, having percents as resumed in the following table:
5. A tool (1), comprising a composition as set forth in any one of the claims 1 to 4
6. A die (1), in particular for forging, comprising a composition as set forth in any one of the claims 1 to 4.
EP01999681A 2000-12-07 2001-12-07 Nickel-based alloy composition for high thermal resistance elements, in particular for hot deformation process tools and for high temperature working Expired - Lifetime EP1339886B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT2000RM000649A IT1316260B1 (en) 2000-12-07 2000-12-07 COMPOSITION BASED ON NICKEL FOR ELEMENTS WITH HIGH THERMAL RESISTANCE, IN PARTICULAR FOR TOOLS FOR DEFORMATION PROCESSES A
ITRM20000649 2000-12-07
PCT/IT2001/000621 WO2002046485A1 (en) 2000-12-07 2001-12-07 Nickel-based alloy composition for high thermal resistance elements, in particular for hot deformation process tools and for high temperature working

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1339886A1 true EP1339886A1 (en) 2003-09-03
EP1339886B1 EP1339886B1 (en) 2004-06-30

Family

ID=11455042

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01999681A Expired - Lifetime EP1339886B1 (en) 2000-12-07 2001-12-07 Nickel-based alloy composition for high thermal resistance elements, in particular for hot deformation process tools and for high temperature working

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1339886B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE270350T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2002217436A1 (en)
DE (1) DE60104142D1 (en)
IT (1) IT1316260B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2002046485A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10354434B4 (en) * 2003-11-21 2006-03-02 Daimlerchrysler Ag Tool for the production of workpieces

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE788719A (en) * 1971-09-13 1973-01-02 Cabot Corp NICKEL-BASED ALLOY RESISTANT TO HIGH TEMPERATURES AND THERMALLY STABLE OXIDIZATION
US3880436A (en) * 1973-07-05 1975-04-29 Rucker Co Ram block
JPH03257131A (en) * 1990-03-07 1991-11-15 Mitsubishi Materials Corp Cutlery material made of ni-based alloy precipitation hardened with intermetallic compound and production thereof
DE69202488T2 (en) * 1991-02-18 1995-11-23 Mitsubishi Materials Corp Process for the production of cutting material with improved toughness.
JPH083665A (en) * 1994-06-20 1996-01-09 Mitsubishi Materials Corp Nickel-base superalloy for die excellent in oxidation resistance and high temperature strength
US5759305A (en) * 1996-02-07 1998-06-02 General Electric Company Grain size control in nickel base superalloys
JP3542702B2 (en) * 1997-07-30 2004-07-14 株式会社エヌゼットケイ Valve stem for diesel engine

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO0246485A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1316260B1 (en) 2003-04-03
ATE270350T1 (en) 2004-07-15
EP1339886B1 (en) 2004-06-30
DE60104142D1 (en) 2004-08-05
ITRM20000649A0 (en) 2000-12-07
ITRM20000649A1 (en) 2002-06-07
AU2002217436A1 (en) 2002-06-18
WO2002046485A1 (en) 2002-06-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN1025358C (en) Turbine blades and manufacture method thereof
US3635068A (en) Hot forming of titanium and titanium alloys
CN100467156C (en) Near-isothermal forging method of GH4169 alloy disc-shaped forging in air
RU2328357C2 (en) Quasithermal forging of superalloy on nickel base
CN101804441B (en) Near-isothermal forging method of TC17 biphase titanium alloy disc forge piece
CN102303083B (en) Quick isothermal forging method and device for preparing less-deformable alloy cake blank
WO2008106858A1 (en) A quasi-isothermal forging method of a disk shaped forging of nickel-base superalloys in air
CN108787750B (en) One-step large-deformation rolling method for β solidified TiAl alloy plate
CN103282530B (en) Die steel having superior rusting resistance and thermal conductivity, and method for producing same
CN110468301A (en) A kind of preparation method with near-zero thermal expansion performance bell metal
CN110369540A (en) A kind of aluminium alloy section extruding die tool processing technology
CN109468544A (en) High carbon and chromium cold work die steel and preparation method thereof
EP1339886B1 (en) Nickel-based alloy composition for high thermal resistance elements, in particular for hot deformation process tools and for high temperature working
CN1710127A (en) Method for preparing high-strength wear-resistant brass pipe
CN110202109B (en) Semisolid thixotropic-plastic composite multi-section forming process
CN112210718A (en) High-thermal-conductivity and anti-melting-loss iron-based material for aluminum alloy die-casting die and preparation method thereof
JP3228440B2 (en) Hot working mold with excellent heat crack resistance
US4992238A (en) Process for shaping and improving the mechanical properties of blanks produced by powder metallurgy from an alloy with increased high-temperature strength by extrusion
JP7181861B2 (en) Tool steel composition for components of die casting equipment or extrusion presses
CN104785751B (en) Die casting
KR100461282B1 (en) A Heat Back Pressing Machine for Heat Forging of Al alloyed Scroll Rotor and Method Thereof
CN208292850U (en) Hot bending die
CN114480912B (en) Preparation method of aluminum bronze for die
CN109321799A (en) A kind of mold hard alloy and preparation method thereof
JPH0243346A (en) Tool steel for hot working

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20030610

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040630

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040630

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040630

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20040630

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040630

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040630

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040630

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040630

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040630

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040630

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60104142

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20040805

Kind code of ref document: P

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040930

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040930

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20041001

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20041011

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20041207

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20041207

LTIE Lt: invalidation of european patent or patent extension

Effective date: 20040630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20041231

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20050331

EN Fr: translation not filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20051207

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20051207

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20041130