[AE characteristics during compression test of high-copper amalgams and visible light-cured composite resins]

Differences in environmental strength of high-copper amalgams and photo-cured composite resins for posterior after storage in deionized water at 37 degrees C for 1 year were evaluated by examining compressive strength and acoustic emission (AE) characteristics. The results were as follows: Microfailure in amalgams and composite resins was detected from the onset of stress and their microfailures toward catastrophic failure occurred at 70 to 90% of their ultimate strength. One-year compressive strength for amalgam decreased to 80 to 98% of its 24-hour compressive strength and that for composite resin to 65 to 75%.