Effect of compaction on particle size.

Compressed tablets were prepared on a hydraulic press at several different compaction pressures by a standardized technique, using aspirin, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, calcium phosphato-carbonate, alumina, and microcrystalline cellulose. All tablets except microcrystalline cellulose contained a cation-exchange resin as disintegrant. The particle-size spectra of the disintegrating compacts were evaluated using a particle-size counter or an air jet sieve. It is shown that compacts made from different materials but of the same initial particle-size spectra disintegrate to give particles of a considerably different size. Determination of the change in particle size produced by the compaction process provides useful insight into the nature of the compaction process.