The Effect of Heat Treatment on Antibacterial Performance of High Strength Steel

In this study, an appropriate amount of Cu was added into the steel to produce Cu-rich nanoprecipitates, thus enhancing antibacterial performance. The tentative steel plates were processed by TMCP and aging(550°C for 10 min), respectively. The microstructure, mechanical properties and antibacterial performance of the tested steel were examined. The results showed that, the microstructure were both mainly bainite, but the microstucture of the aging sample was granular bainite, which was much closer to equilibrium state. And after aged at 550°C for 10min, the steel can have excellent mechanical property combination of strength and toughness. Also, a large amount of Cu-rich nanoprecipitates were found in the steel aged at 550°C for 10min. In terms of the antibacterial property, the as-aged at 550°C for 10min sample obviously had better performance than the as-rolled sample. It proved that the new copper rich precipitate can enhance the strength and antibacterial property.