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A Study of the Complexation of Mercury(II) with Dicysteinyl Tetrapeptides by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Published on: January 8, 2016
Diffusion of mercury in HgSn8 (gamma2 phase)
Biomaterials, Medical Devices, and Artificial Organs
|January 1, 1977
Summary
This study measured mercury diffusion in tin-mercury alloys, determining its speed in different phases of silver-tin dental amalgam. Mercury tracer diffusion was fastest in the gamma2 phase and slowest in the gamma phase.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Metallurgy
Background:
- Understanding diffusion in alloys is crucial for material performance.
- Tin-mercury (Sn-Hg) alloys are relevant in dental amalgams.
- Previous data on mercury diffusion in specific amalgam phases was limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure tracer diffusion coefficients of mercury in a Sn-Hg alloy.
- To determine the Arrhenius equation for mercury tracer diffusion.
- To compare mercury diffusion rates across different phases in silver-tin dental amalgam.
Main Methods:
- Tracer diffusion coefficients were measured using the residual activity method.
- Experiments were conducted on Sn-Hg alloys (Sn 82.6, Hg 17.4 wt.%) at temperatures from 35.5 to 95°C.
- The study focused on the gamma (Ag3Sn), gamma1 (Ag2Hg3), and gamma2 (HgSn8) phases.
Main Results:
- The Arrhenius equation for mercury tracer diffusion was determined as Dv = 2.10 x 10^-3 exp(-8.96 x 10^3/RT) cm²/sec.
- Mercury tracer diffusion coefficients were quantified for the gamma, gamma1, and gamma2 phases.
- Significant differences in diffusion rates were observed among the phases.
Conclusions:
- Mercury diffusion rates vary significantly across the gamma, gamma1, and gamma2 phases of silver-tin dental amalgam.
- Mercury diffuses most rapidly in the gamma2 (HgSn8) phase.
- Mercury exhibits the slowest diffusion in the gamma (Ag3Sn) phase.
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