Decrease of gamma 1 lattice constant with time in dental silver amalgam

As a measure of the mercury content of the gamma 1 phase in dental silver amalgam, the lattice constant of this phase in different amalgams was determined at various times after trituration. The lattice constants of amalgams prepared from alloys with a high silver content have lower values and show a steeper decline with time than amalgams with a low Ag-content. Therefore, since a higher lattice constant presumably is associated with increased mercury vapor, the mercury vapor emission from amalgams with a low Ag-content probably is greater than from amalgams with a high Ag-content, especially during the first weeks after trituration.