Flexural strength of joined and intact amalgam

Abstract

Flexural strength of joined and intact specimens of five different alloys were measured. The same alloys were also tested in compression. Joined specimens were also tested in compression. Joined specimens were made by condensing fresh amalgam against the ground surface of 1 week old amalgams.

Joined specimens had a flexural strength between 11.5% and 51.4% compared to the intact specimens. The high copper alloys obtained the lowest values for fracture toughness and plastic strain when tested in compression. A positive correlation was shown between flexural strength of joined specimens and plastic strain and between flexural strength of intact specimens and fracture toughness.

Key Words:

• Bending strength
• repair of dental amalgam
• fracture toughness
• plastic strain