Diametral tensile strength of twenty-three hardened commercial amalgams

In view of the ever increasing number of high copper alloys, it was the aim of this study to investigate the tensile strength property of some of the new alloy systems. The factors alloy system and heat treatment were investigated in relation to the tensile strength. The factors alloy system as well as the heat treatment turned out to be significant. The study suggests that the introduction of "dispersion" alloys did not change the dental picture as to the property of the tensile strength. The selection of strength values in the range of 35-55 MN/m2 for the diametral tensile strength probably have no clinical relevancy as to the prevention of bulk fractures of amalgam restorations under oral conditions.