(19)

(11)

EP 0 920 544 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 09.06.1999 Bulletin 1999/23 (21) Application number: 96929046.0 (22) Date of filing: 21.08.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C25B 11/ 04( . ) C23C 18/ 18( . ) C25B 11/ 03( . ) C23C 18/ 16( . ) C23C 18/ 31( . ) C25B 11/ 06( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/013698 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/007899 (26.02.1998 Gazette 1998/08)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE DE FR GB NL (71) Applicant: THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY Midland, Michigan 48674 (US)	(72) Inventor: TSOU, Yu-Min Lake Jackson, TX 77566 (US) (74) Representative: Raynor, John, et al  W.H. Beck, Greener & Co 7 Stone Buildings Lincoln's Inn London WC2A 3SZ London WC2A 3SZ (GB)