Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Location-Dependent Analysis of Porosity and Pore Direction in Tablets

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Pharmaceutical Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Purpose

Several phenomena in tablets indicate that an inhomogeneous pore distribution is formed during the compaction process. Examples are lamination and the capping of corners. In order to gain an understanding of the relation between structure and compact properties, analyzing the structure in a location dependent manner would be extremely useful. Our aim was to visualize and to quantitatively analyze the pore distribution in compacts.

Methods

This was done by embedding a cubic (sodium chloride) compact with polymer, allowing the compact to be cut without disrupting the structure. By doing so, it was possible to make scanning electron microscopic images from different angles at different locations in the compact. These images were made binary with a two-means cluster algorithm (Isodata) after which the porosity could be calculated. Counting the number of transitions from the pixels in the pores to the pixels in the sodium chloride particles in two perpendicular directions allows us to construct a measure for the anisotropic connectivity of the particles.

Results

The results show an increase in porosity toward the bottom of the compact and showed a preferred orientation of the pores in the direction of compression.

Conclusions

The proposed method is suitable for analyzing the pore distribution quantitatively and for evaluating anisotropy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

GMA:

glycol methacrylate

SEM:

scanning electron microscope

References

  1. W. H. Duckworth (1953) ArticleTitleDiscussion of Ryshkewitch paper by Winston Duckworth J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 36 68

    Google Scholar 

  2. B. Veen ParticleVan K. Voort Maarschalk ParticleVan der G. K. Bolhuis M. Gons K. Zuurman H. W. Frijlink (2002) ArticleTitleThe influence of particles of a minor component on the matrix strength of sodium chloride Eur. J. Pharm. Sci. 16 229–235 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0928-0987(02)00105-7 Occurrence Handle12208452

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. A. M. Juppo (1995) ArticleTitleRelationship between breaking force and pore structure of lactose, glucose and mannitol tablets Int. J. Pharm. 127 95–102 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0378-5173(95)04203-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. T. Ando H. Yuasa Y. Kanaya K. Asahina (1983) ArticleTitleStudies on anisotropy of compressed powder. III. Effects of different granulation methods on anisotropy, pore size and crushing strength of tablets Chem. Pharm. Bull. 31 2045–2054 Occurrence Handle6640794

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. S. Malamataris T. Hatjichristos J. E. Rees (1996) ArticleTitleApparent compressive elastic modulus and strengths isotropy of compacts formed from binary powder mixes Int. J. Pharm. 141 101–108 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0378-5173(96)04621-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. G. Alderborn C. Nystrom (1984) ArticleTitleRadial and axial tensile strength and strength variability of paracetamol tablets Acta Pharm. Suec. 2 1–8

    Google Scholar 

  7. J. M. Newton G. Alderborn C. Nystrom (1992) ArticleTitleA method of evaluating the mechanical characteristics of powders from the determination of the strength of compacts Powder Technol. 72 97–99 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0032-5910(92)85013-L

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. A. M. Bouwman M. J. Henstra D. Westerman J. T. Chung Z. Zhang A. Ingram J. P. K. Seville H. W. Frijlink (2005) ArticleTitleThe effect of the amount of binder liquid on the granulation mechanisms and structure of microcrystalline cellulose granules prepared by high shear granulation Int. J. Pharm. 290 129–136 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.ijpharm.2004.11.024 Occurrence Handle15664138

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. L. Farber G. Tardos J. N. Michaels (2003) ArticleTitleUse of X-ray tomography to study the porosity and morphology of granules Powder Technol. 132 57–63

    Google Scholar 

  10. A. M. Juppo (1996) ArticleTitlePorosity parameters of lactose, glucose and mannitol tablets obtained by mercury porosimetry Int. J. Pharm. 129 1–12 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0378-5173(95)04201-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. B. Veen Particlevan K. Voort Maarschalk Particlevan der G. K. Bolhuis M. R. Visser K. Zuurman H. W. Frijlink (2002) ArticleTitlePore formation in tablets compressed from binary mixtures as a result of deformation and relaxation of particles Eur. J. Pharm. Sci. 15 171–177 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0928-0987(01)00216-0 Occurrence Handle11849914

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. H. Vromans A. H. Boer ParticleDe G. K. Bolhuis C. F. Lerk K. D. Kussendrager H. Bosch (1985) ArticleTitleStudies on tableting properties of lactose. Part 2. Consolidation and compaction of different typesof crystalline lactose Pharm. Weekbl., Sci. 7 186–193

    Google Scholar 

  13. P. Sriamornsak N. Thirawong (2003) ArticleTitleUse of back-scattered electron imaging as a tool for examining matrix structure of calcium pectinate Int. J. Pharm. 267 151–156 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.ijpharm.2003.08.005 Occurrence Handle14602393

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. http://www.ph.tn.tudelft.nl/DIPlib (accessed 3/23/04).

  15. T. W. Ridler S. Calvard (1978) ArticleTitlePicture thresholding using an iterative selection method IEEE Trans. Syst. Man Cybern. 8 630–632

    Google Scholar 

  16. J. C. Russ R. T. Dehoff (2000) Practical Stereology Kluwer Academic/Plenum New York 56–61

    Google Scholar 

  17. N. Ozkan B. J. Briscoe (1997) ArticleTitleCharacterization of die-pressed green compacts J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 17 697–711 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0955-2219(96)00090-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. D. Train (1956) ArticleTitleAn investigation into the compaction of powders J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 8 745–761 Occurrence Handle13368074

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. J. Nam W. Li J. L. Lanutti (2003) ArticleTitleDensity gradients and springback: environmental influences Powder Technol. 133 23–32 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0032-5910(03)00083-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. I. C. Sinka S. F. Burch J. H. Tweed J. C. Cunningham (2004) ArticleTitleMeasurement of density variations in talbes using X-ray computed tomagraphy Int. J. Pharm. 271 215–224 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.ijpharm.2003.11.022 Occurrence Handle15129988

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. B. J. Briscoe S. K. Sinha (1997) ArticleTitleDensity distributions characteristics of green ceramic compacts using scratch hardness Tribol. Int. 30 475–482 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0301-679X(97)00010-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Groningen University Institute for Drug Exploration (GUIDE), Ant. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Yu San Wu, Henderik W. Frijlink & Kees van der Voort Maarschalk

  2. Quantitative Imaging Group, Department of Imaging Science & Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

    Lucas J. van Vliet

  3. Laboratory for Cell Biology and Electron Microscopy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Ietse Stokroos

  4. Department of Pharmaceutics, NV Organon, Oss, The Netherlands

    Kees van der Voort Maarschalk

Authors
  1. Yu San Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Henderik W. Frijlink
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lucas J. van Vliet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ietse Stokroos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Kees van der Voort Maarschalk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yu San Wu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wu, Y.S., Frijlink, H.W., van Vliet, L.J. et al. Location-Dependent Analysis of Porosity and Pore Direction in Tablets. Pharm Res 22, 1399–1405 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-005-5280-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-005-5280-x

Key Words

Search

Navigation