Simulation of roller compaction by combination of a compaction simulator and oscillating mill - A material sparing approach

This study investigates the feasibility of a compaction simulator and oscillating mill to mimic a roller compactor as a material sparing approach for process development. Microcrystalline cellulose and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate were selected to represent soft and hard materials, respectively. The relative density of ribbons and riblets was determined using a pycnometer and granules size distribution was determined by laser diffraction. Tablet tensile strength and relative density were determined using a hardness tester and pycnometer, respectively. This study showed that the relative density of riblets and ribbons were similar between 1 and 12 kN/cm, which indicates that the compaction simulator adequately mimics the compaction of the roller compactor using a Kp of 1. The size distribution of granules produced by the oscillating mill and roller compactor were similar, which indicates that the oscillating mill adequately mimics the roller compactor when using a similar gap and sieve design. Finally, the tablet tensile strength and relative density were similar independent of the applied granulation method and deformation behaviour of the material. In conclusion, the use of a compaction simulator and an oscillating mill in combination adequality mimics the roller compactor, which ultimately can save large amounts of material and time during process development.

An evaluation of microcrystalline cellulose attributes affecting compaction-induced pellet coat damage through a multi-faceted analysis

Pellet coat damage in multi-unit pellet system (MUPS) tablets has previously been studied and addressed with limited success. The effects of lactose filler material attributes on pellet coat damage have been relatively well-studied but a similar understanding of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is lacking notwithstanding its high cushioning potential. Hence, the relationships between MCC attributes and pellet coat damage were investigated. Single pellet in minitablets (SPIMs) were used to isolate pellet-filler effects and reveal the under-unexplored impact of risk factors found in MUPS tablets. MUPS tablets and SPIMs were prepared with various grades of MCC and pellets with an ethylcellulose or acrylic coat at various compaction pressures. Subsequently, the extent of pellet coat damage was determined by dissolution test and quantified using two indicators to differentiate the nature of the damage. A multi-faceted analytical approach incorporated linear regression, correlations and a classification and regression tree algorithm and evaluated how MCC attributes, such as flowability, particle size and plastic deformability, exert various influences on the extent of ethylcellulose and acrylic pellet coat damage. This analysis improved the understanding of the different mechanisms by which pellet coat damage to these two polymer types occurs which can help enhance future pellet coat damage mitigation strategies.

The Influence of Wet Granulation Parameters on the Compaction Behavior and Tablet Strength of a Hydralazine Powder Mixture

The aim of this paper was to describe the influence of high-shear wet granulation process parameters on tablet tensile strength and compaction behavior of a powder mixture and granules containing hydralazine. The hydralazine powder mixture and eight types of granules were compacted into tablets and evaluated using the Heckel, Kawakita and Adams analyses. The granules were created using two types of granulation liquid (distilled water and aqueous solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone), at different impeller speeds (500 and 700 rpm) and with different wet massing times (without wet massing and for 2 min). Granulation resulted in improved compressibility, reduced dustiness and narrower particle-size distribution. A significant influence of wet massing time on parameters from the Kawakita and Adams analysis was found. Wet massing time had an equally significant effect on tablet tensile strength, regardless of the granulation liquid used. Granules formed with the same wet massing time showed the same trends in tabletability graphs. Tablets created using a single-tablet press (batch compaction) and an eccentric tablet press showed opposite values of tensile strength. Tablets from granules with a higher bulk density showed lower strength during batch compaction and, conversely, higher strength during eccentric tableting.

Making Biodegradable Seedling Pots from Textile and Paper Waste-Part A: Factors Affecting Tensile Strength

This study investigates the efficacy of using discarded textile (cotton and polycotton) and paper waste (newspaper and corrugated cardboard) as substrates to form sheets with optimum tensile strength. The effect of alkali treatment (sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)), compressive loads (200 N and 500 N), and the use of binding agents (blackstrap molasses, sodium alginate, and cornstarch) were studied to optimize the tensile strength of homogeneous sheets. The alkali treatment using 5% NaOH for 5 h of soaking demonstrated the highest increase in tensile strength of 21% and 19% for cotton and newspaper, respectively. Increasing compressive load from 200 N to 500 N showed the highest increase in tensile strength of 37% and 42% for cotton and newspaper, respectively. Remarkably, among the binders, cornstarch at 20% concentration obtained an increase in tensile strength of 395%, 320%, 310%, and 185% for cotton, polycotton, corrugated cardboard, and newspaper sheets, respectively. The optimum results obtained from this study will be utilized to develop biodegradable seedling pots using discarded textile and paper waste.