Compressive Properties of Enamel, Dental Cements, and Gold

Abstract

The compressive properties of human enamel and dentin have been reported by Stan-ford, Paffenbarger, Kumpula, and Sweeney. ' The elastic modulus of occlusal, side, and cusp enamel was reported to be 1.8, 6.0, and 8.2 X 106 psi, respectively. The corre-sponding values for the proportional limit were 16,800, 21,000, and 34,200 psi and, for the compressive strength, 19,400, 28,300, and 40,200 psi. An improved procedure for preparing compressive specimens of hard tooth tissues and some restorative materials was published by Stanford, Weigel, Paffenbarger, and Sweeney.2 The compressive properties of enamel were within the experimental error of the earlier values, and additional values relating compressive properties to environment of development and orientation were reported. In addition, the compressive properties of plastics, amalgam, silicate cement, zinc phosphate cements, and dental golds were listed. Tyldesley3 determined the mechanical properties of enamel by using a transverse type of loading system. The elastic modulus of enamel was reported to be 19 X 106 psi in bending. The proportional limit and compressive strength were found to coincide at