An energy dispersive X-ray micro-analysis (EDX) interfacial study on a high copper amalgam/polycarboxylate cement combination.

The interface between a polycarboxylate cement and a high copper amalgam core containing (21%) tin by weight was analyzed by EDX. It was found that, the tin concentration at the interface was very low (1.26%). On the other hand, a higher copper concentration was demonstrated (6.39%). Mean while a correlation was established between the tin concentration of the amalgam core and the shear bond strength with polycarboxylate cement. Moreover, it could be assumed that, the tin concentration rather than the copper concentration of the amalgam cores has the substantial effect on the shear bond strength between amalgam cores and polycarboxylate cement.