Galvanic currents between gold and amalgam

The galvanic currents between gold and amalgam were determined in vitro in aerated artificial saliva kept at 37 degrees C. Using conventional amalgam, the current between gold and amalgam was rapidly fluctuating, and both the magnitude of this fluctuation and the maximum current density increased with increased ratio between the gold and the amalgam surface area (G/A). The current density exhibited by the non-gamma 2 amalgam was lower, independent of G/A, and showed no fluctuations.