In tablet manufacturing, a product with adequate mechanical properties is required to achieve desired quality and robustness of the tableting phase. Poorer compaction properties can be problematic during tableting, so it is necessary to evaluate variables that have the greatest impact during product development.
As part of the master's thesis, we studied how tabletability, compactibility and compressibility change under the influence of the composition and granulate preparation, using Gamlen instrument – a system for powder compaction analysis. We analyzed real compression mixtures, prepared by one of the most common dry granulation processes - roller compaction. We were interested in whether the compaction parameters, different types of mills (oscillating mill, hammer mill, conical mill) and different milling parameters affect the particulate and mechanical properties of the granules. In addition, we also compared the influence of two commonly used pharmaceutical fillers, i.e. plastically deforming microcrystalline cellulose and fragmenting lactose.
It was found that the type of filler used has the greatest impact on both physical and mechanical properties of granules, where microcrystalline cellulose proved to contribute to better tabletability, compactibility and compressibility of produced granules. We also demonstrated the negative impact of prolonged exposure to mechanical forces during roller compaction on the compaction and also mechanical properties of the samples. The type of mill and milling parameters used in our work mainly influenced granule size, and the latter appeared to be a property that highly affected tabletability, compactability and compressibility of the compression mixtures. However, we were unable to directly confirm influence of milling conditions on the compaction properties, as they were mostly expressed only through the particles size.
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