What hardness should a pharmaceutical tablet have?
There exists no single recommended value however, a common target hardness range for tablets is 40-100 Newtons. The optimal mechanical strength of a tablet depends on its formulation, size, and intended use (i.e., immediately released or chewable).
How does a tablet hardness tester work?
A tablet hardness tester determines the hardness of a tablet by placing a tablet between two jaws. One jaw will consistently move downward, generating the force applied to the tablet until the point at which the tablet fails. The peak force produced by the testing machine during the point of failure is the difference in force applied to the tablet when it failed to maintain the integrity of the dosage form and is recorded as the hardness value of the tablet.
What unit measures tablet hardness?
Tablet hardness is measured in Newtons (N), which is the SI unit of measure for force, although the older generation of testing machines may have utilized kilogram-force (kgf) or kilopond (kp) measurement systems. The newer generation of testing machines generally switched to Newtons for the standard of measurement.
Why is tablet hardness testing important?
The importance of tablet hardness testing lies in the SI unit measure for force, although the older generation of testing machines may have utilized kilogram-force (kgf) or kilopond (kp) measurement systems. The newer generation of testing machines generally switched to Newtons for the standard of measurement.
How many tablets are tested for hardness?
How many tablets are tested for hardness depends on the stage of production and pharmacopeial guidelines. Typically, for quality control, a sample of 10 to 20 tablets is tested per batch to get a statistically significant average and variation.
What industries in Ontario use hardness testers?
Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies Ontartio are the primary users, along with Ontario biotechnology companies, contract research organizations, and quality control laboratories. The nutraceutical industry in Ontario also uses these testers for dietary supplement tablets.