Powder Compressibility for Pharmaceutical Applications White Paper

In the formulation of pharmaceutical products, compositions must be precisely tuned to ensure optimal effectiveness. The percentage proportion of each component is crucial and, where dry powders are involved, there may be various grades or versions available with different molecular weights, extent of crystallinity, and so on, as well as a multitude of powders of similar chemistry and behavior but with slightly different moisture content or particle size and shape. It is therefore important to carefully select the most suitable grade of raw material based on its specific properties.

Based on the significant effect of individual powder compressibility on a finished product’s behavior in industrial applications, it is essential to have a clear means of distinguishing and qualifying this important property of different grades of raw material powders. This challenge has prompted Lucideon to study the compressibility of powders using powder rheology.

This white paper will explore the application of the FT4 Freeman Powder Rheometer to study compaction behavior in different powders and the impact this may have on the pharmaceutical industry, thus helping in optimizing formulations to reduce production down-time, maximize yields and maximize efficacy in patients. Furthermore, this paper aims to present real-life case studies demonstrating how the FT4 Powder Rheometer effectively measures the compressibility of various grades of the same powder, as well as different powders with similar properties, aiding in optimal raw material selection for pharmaceutical applications.