Novel Cu-Rich Nano-Precipitates Strengthening Steel with Excellent Antibacterial Performance

Round  1

Reviewer 1 Report

The article entitled "Novel Cu-rich nano-precipitates strengthening steel with excellent antibacterial performance" could be interesting but the quality of the presentation is very weak. They do not explain the objective of the research (apart from adding Cu nanoparticles to steel), they study the strength and the microbiological properties of the steel but they do not offer information about the mechanisms involved in the process. There is not information about the potential applications of the steel, where could be interesting both good mechanical properties and good microbiological properties. The presentation is really poor, with the references not adapted to the format of the journaal. The English should be also reviewed.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Dear reviewer,

Thank you very much for your comments about our paper submitted to Metals (Number:399570). It is our honor to receive your constructive comments and valuable recommendations. We have carefully revised the manuscript according to your suggestion.The detailed reponses to your comments are attached.

Sincerely yours,

Yanqiu Fan

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

This article treats the effect of Cu-rich nano-precipitates on the strength without sacrificing the fracture toughness. The inquiry is fairly well done, and the results are useful for industrial application. Thus, I judge that this meet the requirement of journal for publication.

Author Response

Dear reviewer,

Thank you very much for your comments about our paper submitted to Metals (Number:399570). It is our honor to receive your constructive comments and valuable recommendations. We have carefully revised the manuscript according to your suggestion. The detailed responses to your comments are attached.

Sincerely yours,

Yanqiu Fan

Reviewer 3 Report

Information related to the used copper nanoparticles is missing (particle size, form of particles, surface area, Producer, process for the production of copper nanoparticles)

Information about the mixing (addition) of copper nanoparticles and steel sample is missing ( reactor type, temperature, Ratio between copper nanoparticles and steel sample)

The pyrophoricity of copper nanoparticles is always Problem for the controlled application.What was a protective atmosphere during Addition of copper nanoparticles?

Is reference 38 written according to the instruction for Authors?

Author Response

Dear reviewer,

Thank you very much for your comments about our paper submitted to Metals (Number:399570). It is our honor to receive your constructive comments and valuable recommendations. We have carefully revised the manuscript according to your suggestion. The detailed responses to your comments are attached.

Sincerely yours,

Yanqiu Fan

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round  2

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors have addressed the comments if the reviewers.