Effects of tableting process parameters and powder lubrication levels on tablet surface temperature and moisture content

Abstract

Punch sticking is a recurrent problem during the pharmaceutical tableting process. Powder moisture content plays a key role in the buildup of sticking; it evaporates due to increased tablet temperature, accumulates at the punch–tablet interface, and causes sticking through capillary force. This study investigated the effects of compaction pressure (CP), compaction speed (CS), and lubrication level (magnesium stearate (MgSt) ratio) on tablet surface temperature (TST) and tablet surface moisture content (TSMC). TST and TSMC were measured with an infrared thermal camera and near-infrared sensor, respectively. Microcrystalline cellulose was used as the tableting powder and MgSt as the lubricant. The low range of CS values (16–32 mm/s) considered in this study did not have significant effects on TST and TSMC. MgSt ratio had a significant positive effect on TST; this may be explained by the increase in powder blend effusivity with the addition of MgSt. However, MgSt ratio did not have a significant effect on TSMC. CP had a significant positive effect on both TST and TSMC. Increased CP induced higher heat generation through particle deformation and friction during the compaction phase, leading to increased TST. Furthermore, the water vapor diffusion rate through the powder bed might have increased due to the rise in thermal energy and led to further moisture accumulation at the tablet–punch interface, causing the significant positive effect of CP on TSMC. This result may explain the occurrence of sticking regardless of the CP applied during the tableting process.