DEVELOPMENT OF AGGLOMERATED TALC .3. COMPARISONS OF THE PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF THE AGGLOMERATED TALC PREPARED BY 3 DIFFERENT PROCESSING METHODS

Agglomerated talc was prepared by the wet granulation method using a f luidized-bed granulator, a planetary mixer, and a high-speed, high-she ar mixer. It was found that agglomerated talc produced by a fluidized- bed granulator is more porous, has a more irregular shape, has a lower bulk density, and has more binder-talc contacts. This higher surface area of binder-talc interface and the highly porous and irregular shap e of the agglomerated talc produced by the fluidized-bed granulator re sult in stronger intergranular bonding. The resultant compact was hard er. The compression force-time curve also showed that the time require d to increase the upper punch force from 10% to 90% was greater for th e compaction of the fluidized-bed granulated talc. The longer exposure to shear forces would enhance plastic flow and facilitate the formati on of stronger bonds. Phenylpropanolamine HCl tablets containing 77.5% agglomerated talc as the diluent were prepared. The properties of the tabler were found to be satisfactory. The agglomerated talc developed may be a promising direct compression diluent.