ACTIVITY NO.

12
MICROMERITICS

Student Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the activity, the student should be able to:

1. determine the rheologic properties of different liquids; and

2. demonstrate skill in the operational use of Ostwald viscosimeter and Brookfield
viscometer.

Introduction

Micromeritics is the science of small particles. A particle is any unit of matter having
physical dimensions. These dimensions may either be fundamental or derived. These include
particle size, particle size distribution, particle shape, angle of repose, porosity, bulk and true
volume, density, bulkiness, Hausner’s ratio, Carr’s index, and tangent of repose.
These characteristics are important to consider in the preparation of solid dosage form as
they may be altered by physical manipulation and particle characteristics can alter therapeutic
effectiveness.

Materials

Procedure

I. Particle Size Determination

1. Get 10 grams of the assigned powder.

2. Arrange the sieves in increasing number from top to bottom.
3. Transfer the weighed powder in the top sieve.
4. Cover and shake uniformly for 5 minutes
5. Collect the powder in each size and determine the weight.
6. Tabulate the result.

II. Density of Powders

A. Bulk density
1. Pass a quantity of the sample through Sieve No. 18, screen to break up agglomerates.
 2. Into a dry 25-mL cylinder introduce, without compacting, approximately 10 g (M) of the
test sample.
3. Carefully level the powder without compacting, if necessary, and read the unsettled
apparent volume, Vo, to the nearest graduated unit.
4. Calculate the bulk density, in g per mL, by the formula:
M
Bulk density =
Vo
B. Tapped density
1. From the bulk density procedure, mechanically tap the cylinder containing the sample by
dropping into a wood surface three (3) times from a height of 1 inch at 2 seconds interval.
2. Continue tapping until a constant volume is observed.
3. Read the final volume, Vf, to the nearest graduated unit.
4. Calculate the tapped density, in g per mL, by the formula:

M
Bulk density =
Vf

III. Powder Compressibility

A. Hausner Ratio
1. From the data obtained from Procedure II, solve for the Hausner Ratio using the formula:

Vo
HR =
Vf

B. Compressibility Index (Carr’s Index)

1. From the data obtained from Procedure II, solve for the Carr’s Index using the formula:

Vo - Vf
CI = x 100
Vo

2. Use the USP as the reference to identify the compressibility and flowability characteristic
of the sample.

IV. Flow Properties of Powder

1. Weigh 50 grams of each powder: a) Aspirin; b) Paracetamol

2. Determine the angle of repose of each powder by passing thru a funnel mounted to an
iron stand at a height approximately 2 to 4 from top of the powder pile.
3. Let powder flow thru the funnel forming a cone below it. Carefully adjust the funnel
height as needed.
4. The funnel height should be maintained approximately 2–4 cm from the top of the
powder pile
5. Measure the height (h) and the radius (r) of the powder file in centimeter.
6. Calculate the angle of repose using the formula:
 α = tan-1 (h/r)

7. Add 1 g talc (lubricant). Mix well using a spatula (spatulation).

8. Determine the angle of repose of each powder and record.
9. Place an additional 4 g of talc to each powder miture. Mix well.
10. Determine the angle of repose of each powder and record.
Name: _______________________________________________ Date submitted: ________
Year and Section: _______________ Group no: _______________ Score: _______________

ACTIVITY NO. 12
Micromeritics

Data and Results:

I. Particle Size Determination

Sieve No. Arithmetic mean Weight of Powder % retained % Retained x

Opening Retained Mean opening
20 0.630
40 0.335
60 0.214
80 0.163
100 0.135
Particle Size of Powder

Calculations:

II. Density of Powders

Tapped
Sample M Vo Vf Bulk density
Density

Calculations:
Research Questions:

1. What is the importance of particle size determination of drugs in the preparation of

pharmaceutical products?

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2. Discuss other methods of determining particle size.

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3. What is the relationship of powder flow properties to tablet compressibility?

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4. According to USP, how will you describe the flow properties of the samples in the
experiment.

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References: