The strength of fifteen amalgam alloys.

The compressive and tensile (by diametral compression) strengths of amalgams prepared from fifteen conventional and higher copper alloys are compared and the rate at which these amalgams develop strength is investigated. Alloys of the single melt high copper type generally possess the greatest strength at all times of testing. The amalgams tend to achieve maximum tensile strength more rapidly than maximum compressive strength. The major increase in strength takes place between one hour and one day.