White antimicrobial copper alloy

Abstract

Copper based alloys exhibiting a white/silver hue. The alloys contain copper, nickel, zinc, manganese, tin, sulfur, and antimony.

We claim: 
     
       1. A composition comprising:
 66-70 wt % copper, 
 3-6 wt % nickel, 
 10-14 wt % zinc, 
 10-16 wt % manganese, 
 up to 0.25 wt % sulfur, 
 0.1-1.0 wt % antimony, 
 about 0.6 wt % iron, 
 about 0.05 wt % phosphorous, 
 less than 0.09 wt % lead, 
 less than 0.05 wt % silicon, and 
 less than 0.10 wt % carbon. 
 
     
     
       2. The composition of  claim 1 , wherein lead is greater than zero wt %. 
     
     
       3. The composition of  claim 1 , wherein silicon is greater than zero wt %. 
     
     
       4. The composition of  claim 1 , wherein carbon is greater than zero wt %. 
     
     
       5. The composition of  claim 1 , wherein lead is greater than zero wt %, silicon is greater than zero wt %, and carbon is greater than zero wt %. 
     
     
       6. A composition consisting essentially of:
 66-70 wt % copper, 
 3-6 wt % nickel, 
 10-14 wt % zinc, 
 10-16 wt % manganese, 
 up to 0.25 wt % sulfur, 
 0.1-1.0 wt % antimony, 
 about 0.6 wt % iron, 
 about 0.05 wt % phosphorous, 
 greater than zero and less than 0.09 wt % lead, 
 greater than zero and less less than 0.05 wt % silicon, and 
 greater than zero and less less than 0.10 wt % carbon. 
 
     
     
       7. A composition comprising:
 61 wt %-67 wt % copper, 
 8 wt %-12 wt % nickel, 
 8 wt %-14 wt % zinc, 
 10 wt %-16 wt % manganese, 
 greater than 0 wt % sulfur and less than or equal to 0.25 wt % sulfur, 
 0.1 wt %-1.0 wt % antimony, 
 0.2 wt %-1.0 wt % tin, 
 greater than 0 wt % iron and less than or equal to than 0.6 wt % iron, 
 greater than 0 wt % aluminum and less than or equal to 0.6 wt % aluminum, and 
 greater than 0 wt % lead and less than or equal to 0.09 wt % lead.