Powder Characterisation for the Pharmaceutical Industry

Freeman Technology exhibited the FT4 Powder Rheometer at Interphex 2007. The FT4, a state-ofthe-art universal powder tester, is a valuable tool for the pharmaceutical industry offering automated bulk, shear and dynamic property measurement. The data generated correlate directly with various aspects of processing behaviour making the instrument ideal for formulation and process optimisation, and effective QC.

The efficiency of key unit operations such as tabletting and dosing depends on the optimal matching of powder properties and processing equipment. With the FT4 powders are tested in a consolidated, conditioned and aerated state to fully characterise behaviour and the factors influencing it. This facilitates the rapid identification of properties with a critical impact on performance. Recent studies, for example, have highlighted the importance of compressibility, shear strength and both unconsolidated and consolidated flow energy, for dosing operations.

The FT4's patented dynamic methodology and unique conditioning step, coupled with automated test programmes that eliminate operator-to-operator variability, deliver unsurpassed precision, repeatability and reproducibility. As a result the instrument is highly differentiating. Testing is fast, a test programme is typically complete in around 5 minutes, while the latest software delivers rapid data analysis, remote from the laboratory where necessary.