2. PROCESSING TABLETS IN TABLET MANUFACTURING
An ideal tablet should be free from visual defect or functional
defect.
In olden days tablets were initially punched on small scale
hand operated missions, which suffered the problem of the
varied strength and integrity.
With the modern evolution of industrial machinery, the tablet
punching missions are mechanized.
However, the tablet processing problem still persists.
An industrial pharmacist usually encounters number of
problems in tablet processing.
Majority of visual defects are due to inadequate fines
or inadequate moisture in the granules ready for compression
or due to defective machine setting.
Functional effects are due to defective formulation.
3.
4. CAPPING
Capping is a term used to describe
the partial or complete separation of
the top or bottom crowns of a tablet
from the main body of the tablet.
CAUSES:
This is usually caused by air entrapment
in a compact during compression and
subsequent expansion of tablet on
ejection from die.
This may be due to
improper drying of granules
insufficient amount of binder
large amount of fines in granulation
REMEDIES:
Remove fines through 100 or 200
mesh screen
Proper drying of granules
Increasing amount of binder
Moisten he granule with hygroscopic
substances such as PEG-4000.
Poor finishing of dies/ deep concave
punches
5. LAMINATION
It is the separation of a tablet into
two or more distinct layers.
CAUSES:
Presence of oily or waxy materials in
the granules.
Presence of too much of
hydrophobic lubricant.
Eg : Magnesium stearate
Rapid decompression
REMEDIES:
Add absorbent and modify mixing
process.
use minimal amount of lubricant
use tapered dies
reduce the final compression
pressure
6. PICKING
CAUSES:
Picking is concerned when punch tips
have engraving or embossing letters.
excessive moisture in granules
improper lubrication
low melting point medication in high
concentration may soften in high
temperature.
rough or scratched punch faces
REMEDIES:
Proper drying of granules
Increasing lubrication by adding a
little more amount of binder with high
melting points.
compress at room temperature and
cool sufficiently before compression.
polish punch faces
design lettering as large as possible
Picking is the term used when a small amount
of material from a tablet is sticking to and
being removed off from the tablet surface by a
punch face. This occurs predominantly in upper
faces of the punches.
7. STICKING
This condition refers to the tablet
material adhering to the die wall.
Filming is a slow form of sticking
and is largely due to excessive moisture.
CAUSES:
This may be due to
improper drying of granules
Excessive amount of binder
Too soft granules
hygroscopic granular material
improper lubrication
Too deep concavity of punches
REMEDIES:
Proper drying of granules
proper lubrication
reduce the amount of binder
modify granulation and compress
under controlled humidity.
reduce concavity of punches
increase pressure
8. MOTTLING
Mottling is an unequal distribution of
color on a tablet, with light or darker
areas standing out in an uniform surface.
CAUSES:
This may be due to
Improper mixing of coloured binder
solution as the dye migrates to the
surface of granulation while drying.
coloured drug used with
colourless/white excipients.
Improperly mixed dye, especially
during direct compression
REMEDIES:
Use appropriate colorants
change the solvent system/ binder
size reduction of granules.
incorporate dry colour additive during
powder blending step for proper mixing.
9. CHIPPING
CAUSES:
This may be due to
Sticking on punch faces
Too much binding might cause
chipping
Concavity too deep to compress
groove of die worn at compression
point
REMEDIES:
proper drying of granules
increasing lubrication
optimize binding by using binders
reduce concavity of punches instead
use flat punches
Polish to open end, reverse or replace
the die.
Chipping is defined as the breaking of
tablet edges, while the tablet leaves the
press or during subsequent handling and
coating operations.
10. CRACKING
In this condition, fine cracks are observed
on the upper and lower central surfaces
of tablets or very rarely on the sidewall
are referred to as cracks.
CAUSES:
This may be due to
Sticking on punch faces
Too much binding might cause
chipping
Concavity too deep to compress
groove of die worn at compression
point
REMEDIES:
proper drying of granules
increasing lubrication
optimize binding by using binders
reduce concavity of punches instead
use flat punches
Polish to open end, reverse or replace
the die.