(19)

(11)

EP 1 853 740 A2

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.11.2007 Bulletin 2007/46 (21) Application number: 06720385.1 (22) Date of filing: 08.02.2006

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C21C 7/00(2006.01) C21D 1/74(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2006/004167 (87) International publication number: WO 2006/091362 (31.08.2006 Gazette 2006/35)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL BA HR MK YU (30) Priority: 18.02.2005 US 60808 (71) Applicant: Praxair S.T. Technology, Inc. Danbury, Connecticut 06810-5113 (US)	(72) Inventor: CATES, Larry, E. Brownsburg, Indiana 46112 (US) (74) Representative: Schwan - Schwan - Schorer  Patentanwälte Bauerstrasse 22 80796 München 80796 München (DE)