Unit processes Flashcards
Part 1: size reduction
first step in manufacture of many dosage forms?
Particle size reduction
Some powders might form clumps during storage - must be broken-up before the powder can be used.
5 aims/ benefits of Particle size reduction?
- improve mixing
- increase specific SA: impacts dissolution rate and flow properties
- control texture and feel (organoleptic properties)
- ensure ease of administration, e.g. injectables, mostly for suspensions
- promote stability, e.g. in suspensions
define toughness?
Toughness is a measure of a material’s resistance to fracture.
brittle vs tough material and examples of each?
Brittle: fracture/break when subjected to stress. not much energy req. Glass
Tough: requires more energy to break. more difficult to reduce size. Steel
difference between plastic and elastic deformation?
examples
elastic deformation: change in shape under tensile stress. reversible once stress removed unless if stressed beyond limit
elastic band
plastic deformation:change in shape under stress, permanent once stress removed
clingfilm
how do fractures occur in brittle materials?
and in ductile?
A brittle material will experience little elastic or plastic deformation before it breaks, fracture will happen through crack propagation; while, a ductile material will undergo significant plastic deformation before it brakes.
whats hardness a measure of and what material will be at top/bottom of Mohs scale?
measure of material’s ability to resist plastic deformation through indentation or abrasion.
Mohs scale: to compare hardness of diff minerals. Diamonds at top,
talc, a soft material- bottom.
why do particle size reduction mechanisms matter?
i.e. what 2 factors influence the process?
Both toughness and hardness are likely to influence the particle size reduction process.
what phenomenon does particle size red. work through?
Crack propagation, i.e. fracture of a brittle material under stress.
will deformation from crack propagation -> particle size red. be permanent or temporary? why?
deformation = permanent as the stress ->bond rupture.
The crack is propagated along the flaws in the material and happens at high speed in the solid.
what affects the efficacy of the particle size reduction process?
the ability of the material to resist crack propagation or brittle fracture will affect the efficacy of the particle size reduction process.
only little energy provided to system is used to reduce particle size. not very efficient!!
how is most energy lost?
most of the energy is lost through
heat, friction, vibration, crack initiation or elastic/plastic deformation.
how does PSR of harder materials compare with very soft?
both can be difficult!
hard = wear and tear to equipment
very soft e.g. rubber- also problematic
what is beneficial about rubber and other waxy/sticky materials that allows PSR to be performed (at low temps)?
become brittle when cooled at low temps (often well below freezing point)
reason for PSR (linked to behaviour of powder)?
PSR = narrow size distribution = impacts behaviour
how does particle size affect PSR process?
2 responses to milling
will respond diff
bigger: change size
can be
- bimodal: alr reduction in size
- unimodal (normal distribution)
after time, what ahppens to the normal distribution unimodal curve in milling/PSR process?
% freq/ diameter graph
peak moves to left (i.e. smaller diameter)
overall particle size reduced :)
in PSR process, why do we not want to reduce size too much?
cohesive (like) forces increase
implications on powder flow
4 Different types of mechanical stress that can be used to break down particles. (PSR methods)
cutting
compression
impact
attrition
PSR reduction methods
what is compression? how is it done in lab
Pressure applied to break down the powder.
In the lab- mortar and pestle
PSR reduction methods
how is impact done?
powder hit by hammers or porcelain/stainless steel balls
PSR reduction methods
whats attrition?
Fragments breaking away from a larger powder particle under shear, friction, agitation, etc.
what are each of the 5 mills in PSR used for?
cutting mill roller mill hammer mill ball mill fluid energy mill
cutting mill: cutting
roller mill: compression
hammer mill: impact
ball mill: impact and attrition
fluid energy mill:impact and attrition
particle size range that can be used in each of the 5 mills of PSR? i.e. put in order smallest-biggest
cutting mill roller mill hammer mill ball mill fluid energy mill
ball mill
hammer mill
cutting mill
roller mill
fluid energy mill (anything up to 50,000 microns)