Mechanical properties of single pellets containing acrylic polymers.

Three aqueous-based acrylic latex dispersions, Eudragit L 30 D, NE 30 D, and RS 30 D, were incorporated as granulating binders into a powder blend of microcrystalline cellulose and anhydrous lactose by wet massing. Spheronized pellets were prepared by extrusion-spheronization and the mechanical properties of single pellets, including the tensile strength at break and the Young's modulus were determined from the stress-strain profiles using a Chatillon TCD-200 tension/compression digital test gauge. The influence of particle size and plasticizer on the mechanical properties of pellets containing Eudragit RS 30 D was investigated. All bead formulations deformed by brittle fracture under a diametral compression force. The mechanical strength was found to be influenced by the adhesive strength between the polymers and the powder particles instead of the cohesive strength of each polymer. The Young's modulus and the tensile strength were also significantly influenced by the type and concentration of polymer, the presence of plasticizer, and the particle size of the beads. The results were related to the properties of the polymers and the fracture mechanisms of the beads. Furthermore, the polymer type and the incorporation of plasticizer influenced the susceptibility of the moistened extruded granules to the shearing forces during the spheronization process, which influenced the surface morphological properties of the pellets.