Theoretical and experimental resonance strengths for KLL dielectronic recombination (DR) into He-, Li-, Be-, and B-like mercury ions are presented, based on state-resolved DR x-ray spectra recorded at the Heidelberg electron-beam ion trap. The DR resonance strengths are experimentally extracted by normalizing them to simultaneously recorded radiative recombination signals. The results are compared to state-of-the-art atomic calculations that include relativistic electron correlation and configuration mixing effects. Combining the present data with other existing ones, we derive an improved semiempirical Z-scaling law for DR resonance strengths as a function of the atomic number, taking into account higher-order relativistic corrections, which are especially relevant for heavy highly charged ions
