Abstract: The present invention is a stainless steel material having antibacterial properties and antiviral properties, the stainless steel material containing a Cu-rich region 3 in which the concentration of Cu is higher than the average Cu concentration in a matrix along grain boundaries in a surface 1 of the stainless steel material and a surface layer 2 located immediately below the surface of the stainless steel material, wherein the Cu-rich region 3 has Cu grain boundary layers 6 that extend continuously at a depth of 10 ?m to 200 ?m from the surface 1 of the stainless steel material, the average number of the Cu grain boundary layers 6 is 2.0 or more per 100 ?m of a distance parallel to the surface of the stainless steel material in a cross section orthogonal to the surface of the stainless steel material.

Abstract: A ferritic stainless steel sheet is a ferritic stainless steel sheet which is temper rolled after bright annealing and has a passivation film. The area ratio of minute defects having an area of 10 ?m2 or more on the surface of the steel sheet is 0.2% or more and 1.5% or less. In addition, the thickness of the passivation film is 1 nm or more and 10 nm or less, the average concentration of Si in the passivation film is 10 at % or more and 20 at % or less, and the average concentration ratio of Si, Al, Cr and Fe in the passivation film component is (Si+Al+Cr)/Fe>1.0.

Abstract: A newly proposed steel consists of 8.0-35.0 wt. % Cr, 0.05-1.20 wt. % C, 0.05-3.0 wt. % at least one of Ti, Nb, Zr, V and W and the balance being essentially Fe and has the structure that a total amount of Ti, Nb, Zr V and/or W carbide precipitations distributed in a steel matrix is adjusted to 0.1 wt. % or more. The steel is bestowed with excellent abrasion-resistance by distribution of carbide precipitations. These carbides have nearly the same hardness as hard particles such as alumina and silicon carbides which causes abrasive abrasion. Due to such excellent abrasion-resistance, a weaving machine member, a sewing needle, an agricultural machine member such as a mowing tooth or a cutter blade made of the steel can be used over a long period.

Abstract: A newly proposed steel consists of 8.0-35.0 wt. % Cr, 0.05-1.20 wt. % C, 0.05-3.0 wt. % at least one of Ti, Nb, Zr, V and W and the balance being essentially Fe and has the structure that a total amount of Ti, Nb, Zr, V and/or W carbide precipitates distributed in a steel matrix is adjusted to 0.l wt. % or more. The steel is bestowed with excellent abrasion-resistance by distribution of carbide precipitates. These carbides have nearly the same hardness as hard particles such as alumina and silicon carbides which causes abrasive abrasion. Due to such excellent abrasion-resistance, a weaving machine member, a sewing needle, an agricultural machine member such as a mowing tooth or a cutter blade made of the steel can be used over a long period.