Properties of amalgams made from lathe-cut, high Cu amalgam alloys

Abstract

Two alloys for dental amalgams made from lathe-cut powder with high Cu content nave been developed. The alloys have been characterized with respect to physical properties and microstructure. The strongest amalgam exhibited minimal dimensional changes during setting and had low flow and creep values. It had the highest Cu content of the two amalgams investigated and no γ, phase. The ε and η phases may dispersion-strengthen the amalgam which in compressive strength was comparable to the strongest amalgams available. A new mechanism for γ₂ disappearance is suggested where Cu replaces Hg directly in the γ₂ phase thus forming the η phase.