The effect of matrix phase morphology on the structure of Ag–Cu–Pd dispersed phase dental amalgam

summary The effect of an Ag–Cu–Pd dispersant alloy on the structure of amalgams fabricated with two different particle types of low‐copper amalgam matrices was investigated. In amalgams L and L (0), a low‐copper lathe‐cut amalgam Aristalloy® was used as the matrix. In amalgams S and S(0), the matrix used was Spheralloy®, a low‐copper spherical amalgam. X‐ray diffraction was used to analyse the relative content of the phases in the amalgams. The presence of Pd in the dispersant of amalgams L and S resulted in a decrease in the amount of η′(Cu₆Sn₅) and an increase in the amount of unreacted particles when compared to the controls L(0) and S(0). Amalgams fabricated with a spherical alloy matrix (S and S(0)) showed a greater effect than amalgams fabricated with a lathe‐cut matrix alloy (L and L(0)).