Exciting research has now confirmed the bug-beating properties of copper and it’s alloys. In particular, the clear case is emerging for use in hospitals and other high risk areas to fight microbes such as MRSA, E-coli, Clostridium difficile and even strains of Influenza.

In the market, it is likely that many surfaces and “hand touch” areas currently using stainless steel or plastic areas will be replaced by copper or copper alloys. Not only will this pose challenges to manufacturers, fabricators and fit out specialists but a knock on effect may be the changes to cleaning products and, more importantly, cleaning regimes.

The CDA are coordinating interest and those interested in this field are encouraged to join the Interest Group.

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Mark Tur, Managing Director of C+S, has assisted in the development of the world’s most informative web resource for designers wishing to consider copper nickel alloys.

The purpose of the initiative is to inform those considering alloy replacement or new specifications by providing a central web based information portal. Whilst these materials are not new, they have been successfully used in many applications for over 60 years. However, many of those Engineers involved with specifying these alloys have now reached the end of their careers or have been promoted to positions less involved with the more interesting aspects Engineering.

Younger specialists may have been brought up on a diet of stainless steel and high chromium alloys and consider that these are the only Corrosion Resistant Alloys or CRAs. The versatility of the copper nickel is shown and engineering, corrosion & fabrication data given.

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