Permeability and porosity of dental casting investments

Permeability of various gypsum- and phosphate-bonded investments was measured during conventional burn-out procedures. Porosity determinations were made on specimens cooled to room temperature after burn-out. As a group, the gypsum-bonded investments were found to be more permeable than the phosphate-bonded investments. Two phosphate-bonded investments were determined to be relatively impermeable to gas flow, while another exhibited permeability comparable to that of the gypsum-bonded investments. In spite of differences in permeability, the porosity of each type of investment was nearly constant. The porosity of the phosphate-bonded investment was approximately three-fourths that of the gypsum investments. These investments were modified by the addition of varying amounts of acrylic polymer for the purpose of altering permeability. The addition of acrylic polymer increased porosity and permeability of all of the materials included in this investigation. The acrylic additives, however, had no effect on the permeability of relatively impermeable investments unless used in high concentration. The results of this investigation would tend to substantiate the need for special spruing and venting procedures.