The effect of rate of loading on the strength of tablets

Abstract

Abstract The breaking strength of tablets containing lactose and microcrystalline cellulose has been determined using an Instron Universal Testing Instrument at loading rates corresponding to cross-head movements of 0·05 to 5·0 cm min−1. For tablets of 2 to 30 kg, nominal strength, an increase in the loading rate produced a significant increase in the breaking strength, although the absolute increase in the mean strength value was only 2 kg for the strongest tablets. The standard deviation of replicate values was apparently unaffected by loading rate. Results obtained using the motorized Heberlein and Erweka instruments to determine the strength of compressed tablets, indicated that discrepancies in the strength values may be partially attributed to differences in the rates of loading.