The effect of stationary time of punch in the process of compression on dividing properties of scored tablets

: The significance of the stationary time of punch in the process of compression on the dividing properties of scored tablets was investigated in several tablets prepared from lactose, corn starch, hydroxypropyl starch, synthetic aluminum silicate, microcrystalline cellulose or Perfiller. The dividing strength of scored tablets was not affected by the stationary time of punch. The effect of the stationary time of punch on the coefficient of variation of divided tablet weight differed in the compacting characteristics and compaction profiles of powders. In case of tablets prepared from microcrystalline cellulose, the effect of stationary time of punch was not observed. However, in the other excipients, there existed a specific stationary time of punch to minimize the coefficient of variation of divided tablet weight. The time was different due to the change of compression pressure. The coefficient of variation of divided tablet weight showed minimum at the longer stationary time of punch when tablets were compressed at the low compression pressure, and the time showed a tendency to become short with the increase of compression pressure. These results suggested that the effect of the stationary time of punch on the coefficient of variation of divided tablet weight was concerned with the compaction structure of powders produced by the movement of punch in the process of compression.