Computer analysis of the relation between tablet strength and compaction pressure

Abstract

The load necessary to fracture lactose monohydrate tablets under diametral compression has been determined using an Instron physical testing instrument, so that true tensile failure was obtained in all cases, leading to improved reproducibility. Four ranges of tablet thickness were examined at 12·7 mm diameter. All tablets gave a linear increase of breaking load with compaction pressure up to 310 MN/m2. Expressing the tablet strength as the breaking load gave a separate regression line for each range of tablet thickness, whereas the use of tensile strength provided a common regression line, within given statistical limits, for all but the lowest range of tablet thickness. The fact that such a correlation is possible shows that the tensile strength is a property of the “as compacted” material and provides a new and useful parameter to maintain constancy of properties when tablet size is changed.