Effect of Copper Content Addition to Dental Amalgam Properties

Abstract

A set of high-copper amalgam alloys have been prepared based on the change in the ratio of copper to silver using elemental components of high purity 99.9%. The amalgamation processes were done by mixing alloy powders with mercury at a fixed ratio. Structural properties were studied using X-ray diffraction and Optical Microscopy. Also, microhardness, and compressive strength were used to study some other important mechanical properties. The prepared amalgams were compared with well-known commercial amalgams; ANA 2000 and Standalloy F. The results of X-ray diffraction showed several prime phases in alloys and amalgams whose proportions and distribution depended on the copper content in the alloy. The results of mechanical test measurements showed a linear increase in the mechanical properties with increasing copper content in the amalgams. The results were similar to the measured values of the commercial amalgam.