AMALGAM II

Earlier the composition of alloy powder is controlled by the ISO Standard (ISO 1559) Materials having a composition which is in line with pre 1986 standard are referred to as conventional amalgam, but it is in line with post 1986 are referred as copper enrich alloy The powder products containing up to 3% Hg are called pre amalgamated alloys and to react more rapidly when mixed with Hg To produces particle amalgam: - produced by lathe cut may be cut from pre homogenized ingot produces irregular shape and graded as fine grain or coarse grain.

Produced by atomization, the molten alloy is sprayed into column filled with inert gas. The droplets solidify as fall down and produces spherical or spheroidal Properties Dimensional change (%) -0.1 to +0.2 Compressive strength (MPa) - at 1 hour 50 (min.) - at 24 hours 300 (min.) Creep (%) 0.3 (max) Corrosion caused by - 2 conventional - Copper tin copper enrich alloy

Hand trituration: Use glass mortar & pestle with roughness surface Alloy/Hg ratio = 5 : 8, care must be taken not to use excessive pressure in order to prevent splintering which change the character of the mix It is necessary to reduce the Hg content by placing amalgam into strip of gauze or chamois leather and squeezing to express excess Hg Mechanical trituration: Are there three level sophistication: - Proportioning alloy & Hg - Encapsulated - Vibrated on a purpose-built machine (amalgamator)

The advantages of mechanical trituration: A uniform and reproducible mix is produced A shorter trituration time can be used A greater alloy/mercury ratio can be used Using encapsulated amalgam may help to reduce the risk of atmospheric Hg contamination The technique chosen for condensation must ensure: Adequate adaptation of material to all part of cavity base and wall Good bonding between incremental layer Optimal mechanical properties in set by minimizing porosity and achieving Hg content of 44-48%