Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the dissolution components during corrosion of amalgams and to identify surface corrosion products in the modified Fusayama artificial saliva. Four type of amalgam alloys were used: low copper lathe cut amalgam alloy (Cavex 68), low copper spherical amalgam alloy (Caulk Spherical Alloy), high copper admixed amalgam alloy (Dispersalloy) and high copper single composition amalgam alloy (Tytin). Each amalgam alloy and Hg were triturated according to the manufacturer's direction by means of mechanical amalgamator (Capmaster, S.S.White), and then the triturated mass was inserted into the cylindrical metal mold which was 10mm in diameter and 2.0mm in height and condensed with compression of 150kg/$cm^2$ using oil pressor. The specimens were removed from the mold and stored at room temperature for 7 days and cleansed with distiled water for 30 minutes in an ultrasonic cleaner. The specimens were immersed in the modified Fusayama artificial saliva for the periods of 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. The amounts of Hg, Cu, Sn and Zn dissolved from each amalgam specimen immersed in the artificial saliva for the periods of 1 month, 3 months and 6 months were measured using Inductivity Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICPQ-1000, Shimadzu, Japan) and amount of Ag dissolved from amalgam specimen was measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (Atomic Absorption/Flame emission spectrophotometer M-670, Shimadzu, Japan). A surface corrosion products of specimens were analysed using Electron Spectroscopy Chemical Analyser (ESCA PHI-558, PERKIN ELMER, U.S.A.). The secondary image and back scattered image of corroded surface of specimens was observed under the SEM, and the corroded surface of specimens was analysed with the EDX. The following results were obtained. 1. The dissolution amount of Cu was the most in high copper admixed amalgam(Dispersalloy) and the least in high copper single composition amalgam(Tytin). 2. Sn and Zn were dissolved during all the experiment periods, and dissolution amounts were decreased as the time elapsed. 3. Initial surface corrosion products were ZnO and SnO. 4. Corrosion of ${\gamma}$ and ${\gamma}_2$ phase in low copper amalgams was observed and Ag-Cu eutectic alloy phase was corroded in low copper spherical amalgam(Caulk Sperical Alloy). 5. Corrosion of ${\gamma}$ and $\eta$' phase in high copper amalgams was observed and Ag-Cu eutectic alloy phase was corroded in high copper admixed amalgam(Dispersalloy). 6. Sn-Cl was produced in the subsurface of low copper amalgams and high copper admixed amalgam.