Effect of Lubricants on Tensile Strengths of Tablets

Abstract

The effect of concentration of lubricant on the axial and radial tensile strengths of tablets was determined for four directly compressible pharmaceutical materials: anhydrous lactose, aspirin, microcrystalline cellulose, and dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate. The lubricants investigated were: hydrogenated vegetable oil, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol 4000, stearic acid, and talc. For plastic materials the tensile strengths were reduced as the concentration of the lubricant was increased. For brittle material the tensile strength was not changed significantly as the concentration of lubricant was increased.