Electrochemical behaviour of dental amalgam in natural, artificial saliva and in 0.90 wt.% NaCl solution

FESEM and X-ray diffraction studies were carried out to assess the microstructure and phases present in a Dispersalloy admix type Ag-Sn-Cu dental amalgam. Electrochemical behaviour of the amalgam was assessed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements in natural saliva, artificial saliva and 0.90 wt.% NaCl solution. EIS was also measured of the amalgam exposed for varying time in 0.90 wt.% NaCl solutions. Results of the impedance measurements showed that the 0.90 wt.% NaCl solution is more corrosive than saliva. The rough and porous surfaces of dental amalgam are energetically inhomogeneous which contribute frequency dispersion of impedance response.