[learn_more caption=”Schiano”]

Schiano¹

L. Perez-Gandarillas²

C.-Y. Wu¹

A. Michrafy²

¹ Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom/ s.schiano@surrey.ac.uk

²Université de Toulouse, Mines Albi, CNRS, Centre RAPSODEE, Campus Jarlard, 81013 Albi, France/ lucia.gandarillas@mines-albi.fr[/learn_more]

Abstract:

Dry granulation using roll compaction (DGRC) is one of the most used processes for tablet production in numerous industries, including pharmaceuticals. DGRC is mainly used for the enlargement of the size of the particles into granules, which improves characteristics such as flowability and packing density. Several works have been conducted to gain a better understanding of this process, but the correlation between operational parameters and materials properties is not completely understood yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the behaviour of roll-compacted granules during die filling and die compaction, and to explore the effects of granule size on these processes and the properties of compressed tablets. Granules of various sizes were produced using pharmaceutical excipients (MCC PH 101, MCC PH 102, MCC DG, Mannitol and Lactose) and compressed into tablets of various porosities. The tensile strength of the tablets was characterized using the diametrical compression analysis, then flowability tests were performed using a custom-built die filling system. Compactibility results showed a decrease in tensile strength for the tablets produced from coarser granules. However, this phenomenon was less pronounced with brittle materials, when compared to plastic materials. Flowability results showed that the fill ratio (defined as the ratio of powder mass deposited into the die to the mass of a completely filled die) is not influenced by the shoe speed until the critical filling speed, after which it decreases exponentially as the shoe speed increases. Moreover, coarser granules presented a higher fill ratio and critical filling speed (defined as the highest speed at which the die can be completely filled) compared to fine granules, indicating an improved flowability.

Acknowledgement:

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No. 316555.