Metal
and Metalworking Industry -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/Pachinery:
(i) Electric melting furnace (1200°C) -10 kg capacity
(ii) Electric muffle furnace (1000°C)-1 cu ft capacity
(iii) Lathe machine
(iv) 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 Includes
(i) Process know-how
(ii) Details of equipment
(iii) Plant lay-out
(iv) Quality assurance methods. Assistance can be provided
at the time of production or trials on separate terms
and conditions (Negotiable).
Released Through:
NRDC.
Contact: Director
National Metallurgical Laboratory
Jamshedpur - 831007, India
