EFFECT OF BINDER CHARACTERISTICS ON THE STRENGTH OF AGGLOMERATES PREPARED BY THE WET METHOD

The effect of the physicochemical properties of binders on the strengt h of agglomerates prepared by the wet method was investigated using un treated and surface trimethylsilylated glass beads as model powders. T he crushing test of granules and the bending test of molded tablets we re carried out in order to estimate the strength of the agglomerates. A quantitative approach based on the work of Rumpf et al. was attempte d to obtain the strengths between two contacting particles. The calcul ated values were in fair agreement with those obtained by the separati on test using two big balls. In all the systems, the agglomerates prep ared from surface treated glass were weaker in strength than those fro m untreated glass. In conclusion, it was apparent that the strength of an agglomerate was related both to the wetting of a particle by a bin der solution and to the binder cohesion.