Melt pelletization in a high shear mixer .10. Agglomeration of binary mixtures

Mannitol of three different particle sizes and lactose were melt pelletized in an 8 l high shear mixer, separately and in binary mixtures containing 25, 50 or 75% of lactose. Polyethylene glycol 3000 was used as meltable binder. Mannitol was found to be unsuitable for melt pelletization without an admixture of lactose, because the plate-like shape of the particles gave rise to agglomerates of an irregular shape. An increasing content of lactose in the binary mixture resulted in smoother and more spherical agglomerates. The mannitol grade with a median particle size of 36 mu m was found to be the most suitable for pelletization.