Influence of variation in contact stress on the sliding-wear behaviour of a dental amalgam.

The influence of variation in contact stress on the sliding-water behaviour of a dispersed amalgam has been investigated. The results demonstrate that: (1) the rate of wear of the amalgam in sliding contact with pins fashioned from human enamel remains virtually constant (0.39 +/- 0.06 micrometer/h-1) throughout the range of stresses encountered in vivo; and (2) the wear process involves adhesive transfer of amalgam to the contacting face of the enamel pin during sliding.