Analysis of pharmaceutical powder compaction using multiplicative hyperelasto-plastic theory

Single-ended compaction of lactose powder is investigated numerically within the framework of multiplicative hyperelasto-plastic theory. In keeping with previous work in the pharmaceutical field, a slightly modified Drucker–Prager Cap model is described and used in the simulations. Coulomb friction is included on all interfaces. Our results indicate that simulations of this type may be useful not only to determine density and stress distributions within tablets, as has been done hitherto, but also may provide indications of circumstances under which the tableting operation fails due to capping.

Graphical abstractSingle-ended compaction of lactose powder is investigated numerically within the framework of multiplicative hyperelasto-plastic theory. Our results indicate that simulations of this type may be useful not only to determine density and stress distributions within tablets, as has been done hitherto, but also may provide indications of circumstances under which the tableting operation fails due to capping (see the Figure).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide