Dental Amalgam Alloy

Process

Dental Amalgam Alloy.

Uses

In dentistry for restoration of worn-out tooth by filling the tooth cavity using the amalgamated alloy.

Salient Features

The alloy is made by melting and casting the constituents in an electric furnace. The ingot is then homogenised for a long period. Homogenised ingot is then subjected to lathe cut in order to get fine powder (-325 mesh). The powder is heat-treated for reliving internal stresses. The resultant powder is now ready for use..

Environmental Considerations

Constituent elements do not cause any pollution in any stage of processing.

Scale of Development

5 kg ingot has been cast and processed for powder production.

Commercialisation Status

The technology has been released to three enterpreneurs.

Major Raw Materials

Silver 69-70%, tin 25-27%, copper 5-5.5% and zinc less than 1 %.

Major Plant Equipment/Machinery

• Electric melting furnace (1200°C) -10 kg capacity
• Electric muffle furnace (1000°C)-1 cu ft capacity
• Lathe machine
• Sieve set.

Techno-Economics

The annual consumption of this alloy is about 8-10 tons. The process is neither labour nor capital intensive. For an established plant, ROI is about 65% and break-even point about 35%.

Technology Package

• Process know-how
• Details of equipment
• Plant lay-out
• Quality assurance methods. Assistance can be provided at the time of production or trials on separate terms and conditions (Negotiable).

Released Through

NRDC.

For further information please contact

Director
National Metallurgical Laboratory
Jamshedpur-831 007, India