Modelling of the break force of tablets under diametrical compression.

A numerical method to predict the break force of curved faced tablets is proposed. The constitutive model and the failure criteria necessary to obtain predictions consistent with experimental data are identified. A modified Drucker-Prager cap model together with a maximum principal stress based failure criteria was found sufficient to predict the break force of tablets under diametrical compression loading. The conditions for the validity of the method were identified with reference to practical tablet shapes and failure patterns. Under these conditions the numerical procedures can be used as a practical tool to predict tablet breakage as an alternative to the empirical methods currently used in pharmaceutical product design and process development.