Structure and strength of low-mercury dental amalgams prepared with liquid Hg-47.4% In alloy.

Two low-mercury amalgams: (1) low-copper lathe-cut and (2) high-copper (Tytin) were prepared by amalgamation with liquid Hg-47.4% In alloy. The strength-structure relationship of these amalgams was investigated and compared with standard amalgams (i.e. amalgams prepared with the same powders and pure mercury). The matrix phase of the low-mercury amalgam was found to be depleted of mercury and may be thought of as In4Ag9 compound with some mercury dissolved, indicating that less mercury (compared with standard amalgam) combines with silver, thus producing a strong amalgam matrix. On the other hand, an increase was observed in the consumption of the initial gamma (Ag3Sn)-phase, leading to an increase of the tin released. As a result, the potential of [HgSn]-phase formation in low-mercury amalgams increases. The observed increase in the quantity of gamma2(Sn7-8Hg)-phase in low-copper amalgam, or its appearance in high-copper amalgam (where it is normally absent), contributes to a deterioration in the strength of the investigated amalgam. The conclusion drawn was that low-mercury amalgam may be prepared with liquid Hg-47.4%In alloy but, in order to eliminate gamma2-phase formation, novel and possibly tin-free amalgamable alloys should be developed.