Fluoride release and physical properties of a fluoride-containing amalgam.

1. The amount and percentage of fluoride released from amalgam were less for the 1:1.6 alloy/mercury ratio than for the 1:1 ratio. 2. Higher fluoride concentrations resulted in a greater quantity but lower percentage of fluoride released from the amalgam. 3. Longer immersion times resulted in a greater amounts and percentages of released fluoride. However, the fluoride released per hour decreased with immersion time. 4. Immersion of the amalgam in lactic acid caused a greater release of fluoride than immersion in distilled water. 5. Disintegration of the amalgam was greater in lactic acid than in distilled water. The contribution of calcium fluoride to weight loss was greater in water than in lactic acid, indicating a corrosive effect for lactic acid. 6. The higher calcium fluoride content (2 per cent) decreased the compressive strength of the amalgam but did not alter the dimensional change.