Microstructure in gold-containing Ag3Sn-amalgam

The present study was conducted in order to understand the microstructural characteristics in dental amalgam which consists of both spherical and irregular Ag3Sn alloy particles with gold substituted in varying amounts for silver (0, 9, and 15%). Spherical alloy particles were used as obtained from Western Gold and Platinum and irregular alloy particles were prepared in the laboratory and then employed in the present study. The amalgam was prepared from the alloy particles by the trituration and condensation method. The polished and etched samples were studied using the techniques of X-ray diffraction, optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. The microstructure in both types amalgam studied after two weeks of preparation contains gamma (unreacted Ag3Sn particles), gamma1 (Ag2Hg3), and gamma2 (Sn7-8Hg) phases in pure Ag3Sn-amalgam and gamma, gamma1, and (Au-Sn) phases in gold-containing amalgam. The The (Au-Sn) phase existed in the form of rings surrounding the gamma grains and acted as a barrier for mercury diffusion in Ag3Sn particles.