An investigation of the structure and properties of a dental amalgam

An investigation of the microstructure of an amalgam alloy powder and dental amalgam ''Amalcap-non γ2' was undertaken. It was determined that the alloy powder is a mixture of ternary Ag-Sn-Cu alloy particles and binary Ag-Cu particles. The microstructure of the dental amalgam made of this powder consists of a γ1-Ag5Hg8 matrix in which particles of γ- Ag3Sn are dispersed and of particles which are a mixture of Ag based α - Ag and Cu based α - Cu solid solutions. The mechanical properties and dimensional change of the dental amalgam where investigated according to ISO 1559-1986.