Medical Applications
of Metal Powders

 Copper and its alloys are more often now being utilised as a replacement for stainless steel in hospitals and in medical devices due to their added advantage of possessing antimicrobial properties.  There are more than three hundred and fifty copper alloys currently listed by the US Environmental Protection Agency for use as antimicrobial materials.  The spread of infection throughout medical facilities is an ever present concern, and utilising materials to create surfaces such as bed rails, handrails, and carts with a natural affinity towards killing and preventing the spread of germs is a simple and effective approach to addressing the issue.  Copper powders can be employed by either coating surfaces with copper containing paints, thermal spray applied powder coatings, or in some cases, even construction of items using cast copper.