Figure 1.

Schematic diagram of the system for the evaluation of ion release from dental materials. The installation consisted of: (1) a glass reactor with a water jacket, (2) a water bath with an external circuit to enable operation of the reactor under temperature-controlled conditions, (3) a multi-channel peristaltic pump to feed the solution into the reactor, (4) a glass tank placed on a thermostatic magnetic stirrer, and (5) the collecting vessel. The receiving solution flowed down gravitationally. The various streams of solutions were distributed through the system by flexible, chemically resistant hoses made of Norprene tubes (Masterflex, Vernon Hills, IL, USA) for use with the peristaltic pumps. Adequate flow rate was achieved by the diameter of the tubing. The material was placed in a glass tank, which was immersed in the solution, which flowed into the system.