TABLET FORMATION PROCESS…..Scientific approach!!!
Compression and Consolidation
The bulk volume of the material is reduced during compression which resulting in the displacement of the gaseous phase. Further increasing the force leads to particle deformation and rearrangement. Three modes of deformation are as follows:
- Elastic deformation: This is reversible deformation of the compact in which, upon removal of the load, the powder mass reverts back to its original form. Most materials undergo elastic deformation to some extent.
- Plastic deformation: After exceeding the elastic limit of the material , the deformation may become plastic, the particles undergo viscous flow. This is the predominant mechanism when the shear strength between the particles is less than the tensile or breaking strength. Plastic deformation is a time-dependent process.
- Brittle fracture: Upon exceeding the elastic limit of the material , the particles undergo brittle fracture if the shear strength between the particles is greater than the tensile or breaking strength. Under these conditions, the larger particles are sheared and broken into smaller particles.
