How to Measure Disintegration

DISINTEGRATION is the ability to become reduced to components, fragments, or particles. It may be as a result of decay, loss of cohesion, dissolving in liquid or crumbling and is generally associated with shrinkage, loss of height or volume from its original form. It is one of the primary characteristics of bath bombs, fast-disintegrating tablets, whipped creams, foams and mousses.

The Texture Analyser can be used to monitor the change in height of a product from its original height over a period of disintegration or volume/height loss. By tracking the distance required to move to maintain a chosen force the rate of decay can be plotted and calculated to the end point or period of no further change.

Typical properties that can be obtained from a texture analyser graph:

Onset of Disintegration, Initial Swelling Distance (if present), Initial Disintegration Rate and Secondary Disintegration Rate

Typical Texture Analyser graph with annotated properties of tablet disintegration test

Typical Probe/Fixture used for Measurement:

Large Platens and Cylinder Probes >>

Tablet Disintegration Rig >>

The above are only typical examples of disintegration measurement. We can, of course, design and manufacture probes or fixtures that are bespoke to your sample and its specific measurement.

Once your measurement is performed, our expertise in its graphical interpretation is unparalleled – no-one understands texture analysis like we do. Not only can we develop the most suitable and accurate method for the testing of your sample, but we can prepare analysis procedures that obtain the desired parameters from your curve and drop them into a spreadsheet or report designed around your requirements.

Show me more properties that a Texture Analyser can measure...

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