Consolidation conditions for a cold-welded mercury-free alloy.

Alloys being investigated as possible direct-filling materials rely upon a cold-welded, deformable silver matrix phase for cohesion and strength. The silver matrix is formed by direct consolidation of comminuted silver under an oxide-removing acid. The object of this study was to determine the effect of conditions such as load, increment thickness, and concentration of oxide-removing acid on the properties of the silver matrix. Results indicate that the addition of higher impact loads significantly improved yield strength and specimens built up by using thinner increments were significantly stronger and denser.