Copper is the active. bacteria* killing ingredient
Antimicrobial Copper isn’t a red, soft metal, it’s a host of materials that can be formed into durable, easy-to-clean, affordable touch surfaces available a variety of colors and finish options.
Copper can be combined with other metals to create alloys such as brass and bronze. These materials can be used to create a wide variety of strong, durable surfaces suitable for a range of applications. With over 350 alloys registered by the EPA, an array of color, form and finish options are available to satisfy diverse design needs.
Three main characteristics make Antimicrobial Copper the most effective* touch surface material:
Superior physical properties
The right Antimicrobial Copper alloy can go head to head with steel in terms of strength and durability. In addition to their antimicrobial properties, Antimicrobial Copper alloys are:
- Durable
- Wear-resistant
- Can stand up to harsh environments and chemicals
- Can retain details and finish over time
Flexible manufacturing capabilities
Antimicrobial Copper alloys are extremely versatile and can be manufactured using a variety of conventional metal manufacturing processes. Antimicrobial Copper can be:
- Drawn
- Machined
- Cast
- Joined
- Bent
Competitive cost
Material cost doesn't drive final product price. Manufacturing costs of Antimicrobial Copper are very competitive when comparing to other materials. Some of the contributing factors are:
- Easily fabricated
- More parts per minute
- Longer tool life
- Completely recyclable
For specific alloy property data, please visit the searchable database at: http://www.copper.org/resources/properties/db/CDAPropertiesSelectionServlet.jsp?mode=basic
* Laboratory testing shows that, when cleaned regularly, Antimicrobial Copper™ kills greater than 99.9% of the following bacteria within 2 hours of exposure: MRSA, Vancomycin-ResistantEnterococcus faecalis (VRE), Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli O157:H7. Antimicrobial Copper surfaces are a supplement to and not a substitute for standard infection control practices and have been shown to reduce microbial contamination, but do not necessarily prevent cross contamination; users must continue to follow all current infection control practices. Michels et al, Lett Appl Microbiol, 49 (2009) 191-195 demonstrated that Antimicrobial Copper™ outperforms two commercially available silver-containing coatings under typical indoor conditions.
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