Understanding the antibacterial efficacy of additively manufactured copper-added 316L stainless steel

In response to the growing demand for advanced materials with inherent infection resistance, this research investigates the properties of 316L stainless steel with copper, produced through laser-directed energy deposition additive manufacturing. The study focuses on three compositions: pure 316L, 316L with 3 wt.% Cu, and 316L with 5 wt.% Cu. Compressive strength measurements and Vickers hardness tests were conducted to assess mechanical properties, while microstructural characterization and X-ray diffraction analysis provided insights into the material's physical properties. This research extends beyond physical and mechanical properties by exploring the on-contact antibacterial efficacy against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> up to 72 h. The addition of Cu reduced the ability of bacterial colonization of both strains on the metal surface. The findings of this investigation have the potential to benefit the biomedical and medical device manufacturing sectors, contributing to both structural and bio-functional properties of materials.