Antimicrobial Metal Guide
Antimicrobial metals like copper, brass, bronze, and silver combat microbes in healthcare and food processing. OnlineMetals.com offers a wide selection of these specialty alloys, expert guidance, and fast delivery to support your fabrication needs.
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The key attributes for these metals are their copper content and ability to kill bacteria and microbes on contact, while still providing the necessary mechanical properties and corrosion resistance for the intended use. Potential applications include medical devices, equipment, and surfaces in healthcare, food processing, and other hygiene-critical industries.
An alloy of copper and zinc, brass with 60%+ copper content shows significant antimicrobial activity against bacteria like E. coli and MRSA. Brass Angle 385 is one example available on OnlineMetals.com that would be suitable for antimicrobial applications where a structural angle shape is needed.
Copper surfaces rapidly kill a broad range of microbes, including MRSA and VRE. OnlineMetals.com offers copper in rectangle bar, sheet/plate, round bar, round tube, square bar, and foil forms that could be used to fabricate antimicrobial copper components.
The antimicrobial effectiveness of bronze increases with higher copper content, with 97% copper bronze being highly effective against E. coli. OnlineMetals.com carries bronze round bar, hollowbar, sheet/plate, rectangle bar, and square bar that could enable producing bronze pieces with antimicrobial properties.
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FAQ
Copper, brass, bronze, and silver have been shown to have antimicrobial properties, rapidly killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They are commonly used in healthcare settings to reduce transmission of infections.
The minimum percentage of copper for effective antimicrobial activity varies by alloy. Brass with ≥60% copper and bronze with high copper content (e.g. 97%) show significant antimicrobial effects. Higher copper content generally leads to greater antimicrobial activity.
Key properties include antimicrobial efficacy, corrosion resistance, mechanical strength and toughness, sterile/self-cleaning surfaces, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and ease of manufacturing and sterilization. Specific requirements vary by application.
Yes, standards like ASTM E3031-15 for ceramic surfaces, ISO 13485 for medical devices, and ISO 22196 provide guidelines on testing and requirements for antimicrobial metals in regulated industries to ensure safety and efficacy.
Yes, low temperature/humidity, chemical interactions, nanoparticle size/concentration, and dry environments can reduce antimicrobial efficacy over time. Moist environments may enhance copper's performance.
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