Properties of Amalgam

Dimensional change Strength Corrosion Creep

Endanus Harijanto

Dimensional Change

ADA spec. #1: amalgam neither contract nor expand more than 20 m/cm between 5 min and 24 hours after beginning of trituration.

Mechanism Dimensional Change

Contraction results as the particles dissolve and the g1 grows. If there is sufficient liquid mercury present to provide a plastic matrix, expansion will occur when g1 crystals impinge against one another.

High-Cu, admixed

High-Cu, single comp.

Low-Cu

leakage

leakage

Dimensional Change
Net contraction
type of alloy
spherical alloys have more contraction
less mercury

condensation technique
greater condensation = higher contraction

trituration time
overtrituration causes higher contraction

Strength

Resistance to compression forces is the most favorable strength characteristic of amalgam.

Strength
Develops slowly
1 hr: 40 to 60% of maximum 24 hrs: 90% of maximum

Spherical alloys strengthen faster

require less mercury

Higher compressive vs. tensile strength Weak in thin sections

unsupported edges fracture

Strength
Condensation
Lathe-cut alloys
Greater condensation pressure higher compressive strength Lighter condensation pressure adequate strength

Spherical amalgams

Strength
Porosity
Related to the plasticity of the mix Increasing condensation pressure improved adaptation and decreases the number of voids

Strength

Amalgam hardening rate

ADA spec. min compressive strength 80 MPa at 1 hour
High-Cu single-composition amalgams may be strong enough shortly after placement to permit amalgam build-ups to be prepared for crowns. Patients should be cautioned not to subject the restoration to high biting stresses for at least 8 hours after placement.

Corrosion
Reduces strength Seals margins

low copper

6 months

SnO2, SnCl gamma-2 phase

high copper

6 - 24 months
SnO2 , SnCl, CuCl eta-phase (Cu6Sn5)

Corrosion
Order of corrosion resistance (in pure phases)
Ag2Hg3 (g1) > Ag3Sn (g) > Ag3Cu2 > Cu3Sn (e) > Cu6Sn5 () > Sn7-8Hg (g2)

In the low-Cu amalgam, the most corrodible phase is the Sn7-8Hg (g2) (11-13% of amalgam mass).
Corrosion liberated Hg + Tin oxide or Tin Chloride porosity and lower strength

Corrosion
High Hg:alloy ratio formation of g2 phase promoting corrosion Gold v.s. amalgam restorations
Galvanic corrosion Free mercury can weaken the gold restoration.

Corrosion
The build-up of corrosion products gradually seals this space, making dental amalgam a self-sealing restoration. Most common corrosion products = oxides and chlorides of Sn

Corrosion products

Creep
Slow deformation of amalgam placed under a constant load ADA spec. #1: creep rate < 3%

Gamma 2 dramatically affects creep rate

Correlates with marginal breakdown

Creep
High-copper amalgams have creep resistance
prevention of gamma-2 phase
requires >12% Cu total

single composition spherical

eta (Cu6Sn5) embedded in gamma-1 grains

interlock

admixture

eta (Cu6Sn5) around Ag-Cu particles

improves bonding to gamma 1