Compactibility of granules prepared by a novel method of granulation and their dissolution

Increasing particle size during prolonged grinding by a ballmill has been used as a novel means of producing a pharmaceutical granulation. The compactibility properties of granules of sodium chloride and of paracetamol produced by this method have been elucidated and compared with those produced by conventional granulation techniques. Force-displacement diagrams and double compactions were used to measure the net energy input on tableting. When compared with conventional granulation methods, the agglomerative phase of comminution (APOC) method produced mechanically stronger tablets with a higher dissolution rate than those compacted from granules made by a conventional wet granulation method irrespective of the compaction energy used. Tablet tensile strength is related to the elasticity and yield strength of the substance used. It is suggested that binderless tablets may be prepared using this method, thus simplifying tablet formulation and enhancing stability. A possible mechanism for the increased dissolution rate is the increased internal surfaces area of the granules produced by the prolonged grinding method.