Impact of screw elements on continuous granulation with a twin-screw extruder

The influence of different screw element types on wet granulation process with a twin-screw extruder was investigated. Lactose granules were prepared with different screw configurations such as conveying, combing mixer and kneading elements. The use of kneading blocks led to an almost complete agglomeration of lactose, whereas kneading and combing mixer elements resulted in smaller granules in comparison. Granule porosity varied between 17.4% and 50.6%. Granule friability values ranged from 1.2% to 38.5%. Conveying elements led to the most porous and friable granules, whereas kneading blocks produced the densest and least friable granules. Combing mixer elements produced granules with median properties. A linear correlation between granule porosity and the natural logarithm of granule friability was detected. Flowability of granules was also influenced by the element type. Compressed granules with higher granule porosities resulted in tablets with higher tensile strength values and vice versa. Twin-screw extruders proved to be a versatile tool for wet granulation. By the choice of a suitable screw element granule and tablet characteristics were influenced.