Method of using stainless steel having anti-microbial property
US5861068A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jan 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC21D6/004
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Stainless steel is improved in anti-microbial property by the addition of Cu in an amount of 0.4-5.0 wt. % and the precipitation of Cu-rich phase at the ratio of 0.2 vol. % or more. The Cu-rich phase is precipitated as minute particles uniformly dispersed in the matrix not only at the surface layer but also at the interior by heat treatment such as annealing or aging at 500.degree.-900.degree.. Since the anti-microbial property is derived from the material itself, the underlying stainless steel does not lose the excellent anti-microbial property even after it is polished or mechanically worked. Due to the anti-microbial property, the stainless steel is useful as material in various fields requiring sanitary environments, for example, kitchen goods, electric home appliances, devices or tools at hospitals, parts or interiors for building and grips or poles for electric trains or buses.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.