Alloy having antibacterial effect and sterilizing effect

摘要

A copper alloy comprising 0.1-7.3% of titanium and optionally comprising one or more of zinc, silicon and silver in amounts of 0.001-10%, 0.001-3% and 0.001-1%, respectively, wherein its surface layer contains an oxide containing titanium. This copper alloy exhibits sterilizing effect based on copper and antibacterial effect based on optical catalyst function resulting from the oxide which contains titanium dispersed in the surface layer. The oxide containing titanium can be produced by heating the copper alloy which has the above-mentioned composition and is produced in the usual manner to 200-800° C. to oxidize titanium preferentially. In the case that zinc and silicon are contained, these elements are also preferentially oxidized by the heating, so as to produce oxides. Thus, zinc exhibits antibacterial effect and sterilizing effect. Silicon exhibits hydrophilicity. Silver exhibits sterilizing effect.