(19)

(11)

EP 1 235 658 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 04.09.2002 Bulletin 2002/36 (21) Application number: 00973563.0 (22) Date of filing: 13.10.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B22F 1/02, B22F 3/11, C25B 11/03, C25B 11/04 (86) International application number: PCT/US0028/563 (87) International publication number: WO 0102/8714 (26.04.2001 Gazette 2001/17)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 20.10.1999 US 160545 P (71) Applicant: THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY Midland, Michigan 48674 (US)	(72) Inventors: TSOU, Yu-Min Princeton, NJ 08540-4808 (US) MANOR, Edmond, L. Brazoria, TX 77422 (US) (74) Representative: Raynor, John  W.H. Beck, Greener & Co7 Stone BuildingsLincoln's Inn London WC2A 3SZ London WC2A 3SZ (GB)