The effect of compression force on surface structure, crushing strength, friability and disintegration time of erythromycin acistrate tablets.

The surface roughness of erythromycin acistrate tablets was studied by non-contact laser profilometry. Seven roughness parameters and 3D fractal dimension were examined. The mechanical properties (including crushing strength, friability and disintegration time) were determined, and SEM data were taken from the tablets. According to the results, the crushing strength and the disintegration time of the tablets increased with increasing compression force. At higher compression forces the crushing strength reached a constant level. The friability of the tablets behaved quite unexpectedly and minimum friability was observed at a compression force of 14 kN. Except for fractal dimension, the roughness parameters behaved very much in the same way as the friability of the tablets. The SEM data supported the friability and surface roughness data of the tablets. Copyright 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.