A COHERENT MATRIX MODEL FOR THE CONSOLIDATION AND COMPACTION OF AN EXCIPIENT WITH MAGNESIUM STEARATE

This paper reports that magnesium stearate sensitivity of brittle mate rials is not directly related to the degree of fragmentation during co mpression. A coherent matrix of magnesium stearate, created by the pro cess of dry blending, is highly sustained during consolidation and com paction of the particulate system. Failure of the tablets happens ther efore principally along the interfaces of the original excipient cryst als. Fragmentation of the excipient particles occurs mainly within the areas surrounded by the magnesium stearate network and contributes th erefore little to the crushing strength of the tablets.