In low-copper dental amalgam, which phase is weakest and most susceptible to corrosion?

  • Correct answer

    Gamma-2 (tin-mercury)

  • Gamma (silver-tin)

  • Gamma-1 (silver-mercury)

  • Eta (copper-tin)

This question is one of 15 in AFK practice: Restorative, prosthodontics and implants. Test yourself on all of them.

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Explanations

  • The gamma-2 Sn-Hg phase is the weakest and most corrosion-prone phase of low-copper amalgam. High-copper alloys largely eliminate it because tin preferentially forms the eta (Cu6Sn5) phase.

    Source: Sakaguchi and Powers, Craig's Restorative Dental Materials — oneguy

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