How to deal with tablet cracking issues? Here are 4 tips to help you solve it.

How to deal with tablet cracking issues? Here are 4 tips to help you solve it.

A tablet press is a machine that compresses dry granular or powdered materials into tablets using molds. Depending on the model, tablet presses can be categorized into single-punch tablet presses, basket tablet presses, rotary tablet presses, semi-high-speed rotary tablet presses, fully automatic high-speed tablet presses, and rotary encapsulated tablet presses.

Different types of tablet presses have distinct functions and application ranges, but they commonly encounter the issue of tablet cracking. Why does this happen? The main reason is excessive fine powder in the granules, which traps air during compression. If the compression speed is too fast and the gap between the punch and die hole is small, the air cannot escape from the granules and gets trapped inside the tablet. Once the pressure is released, the air expands, causing the tablet to crack.

After consulting with industry experts, here are some methods to address tablet cracking under different circumstances:

1. Tablet cracking due to excessive pressure

When the granules are subjected to increased pressure, their expansion increases. If the adhesive's binding force cannot prevent this expansion, it results in cracking. The solution is to reduce the pressure.

2. Tablet cracking due to improper fit between the upper punch and die hole

Over time, wear and tear on the punches and dies cause misalignment, leading to uneven pressure distribution. This can result in excessive pressure on certain parts of the tablet, causing top splitting or deformation of the die ring. It is essential to replace the mold promptly.

3. Tablet cracking due to substandard granules

If the granules are too loose or contain too much fine powder, adjustments should be made to the adhesive concentration and quantity, and the granulation method should be improved. For granules that are too dry or lose too much crystallization water, controlling the moisture content during granulation according to different product specifications is crucial.

4. Tablet cracking due to improper adhesive selection

If the adhesive used during granulation is insufficient, resulting in poor adhesion and excessive fine powder, the dried granules may become too hard, making them difficult to disintegrate and causing surface pitting. Appropriate amounts of adhesive should be added; if there is too much fine powder, some can be sieved out. If the granules are too hard, they should be re-granulated and disintegrants added.

In recent years, with the rapid development of the pharmaceutical market, tablet press manufacturers have faced both opportunities and challenges. In increasingly fierce competition, manufacturers no longer focus solely on sales but strive to solve customers' problems and provide comprehensive services based on their needs. Consequently, the tablet press industry and companies are continuously accelerating their transformation and innovation.

However, some industry insiders point out that while some products have made significant breakthroughs, many lack technological content. For example, some products have similar structures, functions, and even identical production processes. To better adapt to industry development and meet user needs, China's tablet press industry must continue to advance towards higher speeds, greater productivity, better sealing, modularity, automation, and scale. By increasing innovation efforts, they can enhance their products and gain more market share and customer favor in the competitive tablet press market.

Shanghai Tianfeng Pharmaceutical Equipment Co., Ltd.
No.8 tianfeng road,Songjiang Zone,Shanghai,China
Phone: 86-13524985109
WhatsApp: 86-13524985109
WeChat: 13524985109
Skype: 86-13524985109
Web: www.pilltabletpressmachine.com
E-mail: chenyang@shtf.cn