TABLET PROPERTIES AS A FUNCTION OF THE PROPERTIES OF GRANULES MADE IN A FLUIDIZED-BED PROCESS

An investigation has been performed into the influence of the process variables of the fluidised bed granulation process on tablet properties such as strength, disintegration time and friability. For the investigation, use has been made of two mixtures of cohesive lactose/starch powder as well as of three binder types. From these cohesive powders, free-flowing granules with a known granule size and density can be manufactured. The tablet properties depend on the tablet compaction process and the granule properties. The relative density of the tablet is introduced as an appropriate property by which tablets may be evaluated. The strength, disintegration time as well as the friability are described as a function of the granule size and density at a given lubricant concentration. As a result of this investigation, it is clear how tablets with desired properties can be manufactured and what is the interdependence between their properties.