Characterization of low and high copper amalgam alloys and the effect of mixing time on their physical properties.

At present, many amalgam alloys are commercially available. These alloys can be classified as having low and high copper contents and, also in terms of being lathe-cut, spherical or admixed. The various claims of the manufacturers concerning the advantages of their products in terms of both composition and particle shape, often causes confusion to the practitioner. Therefore, it is important to clarify the characteristics and performance of commercially available alloys. In this investigation, the physical properties of low and high copper alloys were examined mainly on the basis of the American Dental Association Specification No.11,2).