Abstract: Antibacterial activity of AISI420 stainless steel (SS) implanted by copper was investigated. Ions extracted from a metal vapor vacuum arc (MEVVA) are sourced with lOOkeV energy and a dose range from 0.2×10^17 to 2.0×10^17ions·cm^-2. The saturation dose of Cu implantation in AISI420 SS and Cu surface concentration were calculated at the energy of 100keV. The effect of dose on the antibacterial activity was analyzed. Results of antibacterial test show that the saturation dose is the optimum implantation dose for best antibacterial activity, which is above 99against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Novel phases such as Fe4Cu3 and Cu9.9Fe0.1 were found in the implanted lco,er by glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GXRD). The antibacterial activity of A1Sl420 SS attributes to Cu-contained phase.

Key words: antibacterial stainless steel, copper ion implantation, saturation dose