Related Experiment Videos
Microstructure in gold-containing Ag3Sn-amalgam
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research
|January 1, 1976
Summary
Adding gold to dental amalgam (Ag3Sn) creates a new (Au-Sn) phase. This phase acts as a barrier, reducing mercury diffusion in the alloy particles.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Materials
Background:
- Dental amalgam is a widely used restorative material.
- Understanding its microstructure is crucial for improving its properties.
- The role of alloy particle morphology and composition requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microstructural characteristics of dental amalgam with varying gold substitutions.
- To analyze the effect of gold on the phases formed and mercury diffusion.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of dental amalgam using spherical and irregular Ag3Sn alloy particles with 0%, 9%, and 15% gold substitution.
- Characterization using X-ray diffraction, optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Amalgam microstructure contains gamma (Ag3Sn), gamma1 (Ag2Hg3), and gamma2 (Sn7-8Hg) phases in pure Ag3Sn-amalgam.
- Gold-containing amalgam exhibits gamma, gamma1, and (Au-Sn) phases.
- The (Au-Sn) phase forms rings around gamma grains, inhibiting mercury diffusion.
Conclusions:
- Gold substitution in dental amalgam alters its phase composition.
- The formation of an (Au-Sn) phase acts as a mercury diffusion barrier, potentially enhancing amalgam stability.