FLEXURE TEST OF TABLETS

A new system for testing the mechanical strength of tablets is describ ed, According to the axial strength test tablets made of Avicel, dical ciumphosphate, dihydrate, sorbitol and lactose were subjected to defor mation, measuring the force and the displacement. The test was carried out at speed levels of 0.82 and 14.6 mm/s. The force-versus-displacem ent curves showed a Linear increase af force during the deformation, T he force maximum had a typical shape depending on both the material an d compression force. The highest strength has been found for Avicel, t he lowest for lactose. The stiffness of the tablets was calculated as the slope of the force-versus-displacement curves and compared to the breaking force, These two parameters of strength showed good correlati ons for all substances with correlation coefficients of 0.975 and bett er. Equations for calculation of the breaking force from the stiffness were derived. Hereby a non-destructive testing method of mechanical p roperties of tablets is possible.