(19)

(11)

EP 1 062 375 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 27.12.2000 Bulletin 2000/52 (21) Application number: 99966107.7 (22) Date of filing: 10.12.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C22C 38/40 (86) International application number: PCT/US9929/299 (87) International publication number: WO 0034/543 (15.06.2000 Gazette 2000/24)

(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: 11.12.1998 US 111831 P (71) Applicant: Inco Alloys International, Inc. HuntingtonWest Virginia 25720 (US)	(72) Inventors: SUAREZ, Francis, S. Huntington, WV 25705 (US) HARTMANN, Vernon, William Culloden, WV 25510 (US) (74) Representative: Hedley, Nicholas James Matthew et al Stephenson HarwoodOne, St. Paul's Churchyard GB-London EC4M 8SH GB-London EC4M 8SH (GB)