TABLET HARDNESS

Tablet Hardness

the ability of the tablet to withstand the shock

of handling, packing and shipping has been
the traditional measure of tablet strength
requirements
 Rule of the thumb

commonly used, and describes as a tablet to

be of proper hardness.
 Measurement of tablet hardness can be
approached in 2 ways.

instrumental methods
actual shipping test
 INSTRUMENTAL METHOD
measuring of the force to crush a tablet. The
resistance to crushing is measured by
instruments which depends on force produced
by air pressure and springs.
ability of the tablet to withstand abrasion in
packaging, handling and shipping by the use of
friabilator.
 ACTUAL SHIPPING TEST
Packaged products are sent to distant points
and back using various methods of
transportation.
TABLET HARDNESS TESTERS
 determined by placing one tablet on its edge
between two crushing surfaces of the
instrument.
 Stokes-Monsanto Tester
the instrument was introduced in the mid-
thirties. It measures the force required to
break the tablet when the force generated by
a coil spring is applied diametrically to the
tablet.
the unit of force is kilograms. When used in
production, hardness of 4 Kg is considered to
be minimum for a satisfactory tablet.