Marginal Fracture vs Mechanical Properties of Amalgam

Abstract

The clinical marginal fracture characteristics of three commercial dental amalgams were evaluated and compared with a number of their mechanical properties to determine which properties would relate best to clinical performance. It was found that compressive strength, tensile strength, transverse strength, transverse deflection, and flow as determined by ADA Specification No. 1 were ineffective, whereas the rheological properties of dynamic creep, static creep, and slow compressive strength appeared effective in relating to marginal fracture.