Compressional Behaviour of an Agglomerated Cellulose Powder

Abstract

The ability of an agglomerated cellulose powder to total and plastic deformation was evaluated and compared with those of Avicel PH 101, Emcocel and an experimental depolymerized cellulose powder. The elastic recovely of compressed cellulose tablets was also measured. The effects of deformation of the material during the tableting process and recovery of tablet after maximum compression on the mechanical strength of tablets were also discussed.

The apparent net work done into tablets during compression as well as the yield pressures to total and plastic deformation, determined from the Heckel treatment, showed no great differences between the agglomerated cellulose powder and the other cellulose powders. Thus all the cellulose materials studied had rather similar ability to total, i.e. elastic and plastic, deformation and to permanent, i.e. pure plastic, deformation. The obvious fragmentation of the agglomerated cellulose powder already at low compressional pressure, however, seemed to be advantageous for the formation of strong compacts.