Introduction to Friability Testing
Friability is the tendency for a tablet to chip, crumble or break following compression. This tendency is normally confined to uncoated tablets and surfaces during handling or subsequent storage.
It can be caused by a number of factors including poor tablet design (too sharp edges), low moisture content, insufficient binder, etc.
For obvious reasons, tablets need to be hard enough such that they do not break up in the bottle but friable enough that they disintegrate in the gastrointestinal tract.
Based on an original design by Roche, the friability tester has now become an accepted standard throughout the pharmaceutical industry for determining the resistance of uncoated tablets to the abrasion and shock experienced in manufacturing, packing and shipping operations.
Whilst the basic design remains unchanged, considerable advances have been made in terms of reliability and ease of usage which have now been incorporated into current units.
For comprehensive product details, specifications and part numbers, please request a copy of our brochure “Quality Solutions for the Testing of Pharmaceuticals”.