New antibacterial applications of copper-base powders

In this introductory article to the Focus Issue, we examine copper and copper-base antimicrobial properties, their unusual history, and their potential to generate a new, growing application segment for the powder metallurgy (PM) industry. Applications leveraging the unique antibacterial properties of copper trace their roots back thousands of years. Traditional PM applications in this sphere include antifouling paint and agricultural pesticides. New proposed applications include inaccessible bearings for food processing equipment, caulking, tiles, and other materials. The market worldwide for these new proposed powder applications is expected to reach $168 million cumulative and grow as high as 14% per year in the next few years, pending acceptance by the market, regulatory approvals, and aggressive marketing strategies.