Powder Compaction: Compression Properties of Cellulose Ethers

Abstract

Effective development of matrix tablets requires a comprehensive understanding of different raw material attributes and their impact on process parameters. Cellulose ethers (CE) are the most commonly used pharmaceutical excipients in the fabrication of hydrophilic matrices. The innate good compression and binding properties of CE enable matrices to be prepared using economical direct compression (DC) techniques. However, DC is sensitive to raw material attributes, thus, impacting the compaction process. This article critically reviews prior knowledge on the mechanism of powder compaction and the compression properties of cellulose ethers, giving timely insight into new developments in this field.

Impact of binder as a formulation variable on the material and tableting properties of developed co-processed excipients

“…The ability of a material to form solid compacts or tablets is quantified by its mechanical properties [37]. Mechanical properties of a powder relates to its response to applied pressure during compression [38]. Powders under the effect of an external mechanical stress are subject to either elastic deformation, plastic deformation, viscoelastic deformation, or fragmentation as the main mechanism for deformation [39].…”

“…Compressibility refers to the ability of a material to undergo volume reduction when pressure is applied and can be graphically illustrated as a porosity-pressure relationship [44]. The application of pressure to a powder bed in a confined space initiates particle rearrangement that leads to the filling of the pore spaces, deformation and reduction in volume thereby increasing the packability and density of the powder [38]. When this happens, particles are brought near each other thereby increasing bonding area.…”

Probing the Impact of Porosity on Swelling Kinetics of Hydrophilic Matrices

“…There are various types of controlled release formulations, however, compressed hydrophilic matrices (CHM) are most frequently used controlled release oral dosage forms (Maderuelo et al, 2011). Generally, CHM can be easily prepared by directly compressing the powder mixture of drug containing a swellable hydrophilic polymer and other additives to aid the process (Ghori & Conway 2016). These CHM have the ability to release the drug over a defined period of time, as they do not undergo disintegration when delivered to patients.…”

Comparative analysis of co-processed starches prepared by three different methods

“…The compressibilitytabletability-compressibility (CTC) profile of all three materials is illustrated in Figure 5A-C. Compressibility is the measure of the ability of a material to contract in volume under the effect of compaction pressure and it is represented as a tablet porosity-pressure relationship (Ghori and Conway 2016;Khomane et al, 2013;Patel et al, 2006;Upadhyay et al, 2013) as seen in Fig. 5A.…”

“…Tabletability is the capacity of a powdered material to be transformed into a tablet of specified strength under the effect of compaction pressure (Ghori and Conway, 2016;Joiris et al, 1998;Upadhyay et al, 2013;Yadav et al, 2017). It is represented by a plot of tensile strength against compaction pressure (Fig.…”