NANOSILVER-REINFORCED AgSn ALLOYS FOR DENTAL APPLICATIONS: MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR AND HARDNESS

AgSn alloys of different compositions were prepared by direct mixing with silver nanoparticles, synthesized, in turn, by an environmentally-friendly method. The procedure was carried out by following the standard technique for preparing dental materials and devices. A detailed mechanical characterization, including the maximum elongation at break, the ultimate tensile strength and the hardness of the resulting nanocomposites, was obtained and numerically fitted by statistically-significant equations The results show improved mechanical performance, as compared to standard materials used in dentistry, in particular amalgams. The procedure described allows to produce low cost materials with tailored mechanical properties.