Granule formation mechanisms in fluid-bed melt granulation and their effects on tablet properties

摘要

Melt granulations of lactose and PEG 4000 were made with a fluid-bed granulator and for comparison in a high-speed mixer with scraper. Two different mechanisms of granule formation occurred, coalescence and layering. The agglomeration kinetics of layering was modeled. The granulations were compressed on an instrumented press and examined for uniformity of mass, hardness and disintegration time. Remarkable differences in tablet properties were found between the mechanisms of granule formation.