Antimicrobial Activity and Hardness of as Cast and as Homogenized Cu-Ti Alloys

Abstract

Cu-Ti alloy, pure copper, and stainless steel AISI 304 were tested in this study for their microstructure, effect of alloying element to hardness, and antibacterial activity. The antibacterial properties were tested against E. coli suspensions. The titanium in Cu-Ti alloy was varied 1-4 wt. %, and the microstructure was modified by homogenization treatment. The antibacterial susceptibility test was done by inhibition zone measurement and bacterial suspension inoculation methods. Result showed the addition of titanium increased hardness from pure copper (44.93 HV) to 79.68-207.6 HV. No inhibition zone was observed for the stainless steel samples, while the largest inhibition zone diameter was gained by pure copper (12.4 mm). The killing bacteria activity test concluded that the compositions of the alloys were not directly linked to the antibacterial activity.