Compression, compaction, and disintegration properties of low crystallinity celluloses produced using different agitation rates during their regeneration from phosphoric acid solutions.
The tabletting characteristics of low crystallinity celluloses (LCPC)-LCPC-700, LCPC-2000, and LCPC-4000-prepared using agitation rates of 700, 2000, and 4000 rpm, respectively, during their regeneration from phosphoric acid, were evaluated and compared with those of Avicel PH-102 and Avicel PH-302. The mean deformation pressure values calculated from the linear region of the Athy-Heckel curves indicated LCPC-4000 to be the most ductile material. The area under the Athy-Heckel curve for LCPC-4000 was 330 MPa, whereas LCPC-700 and LCPC-2000 showed a corresponding value similar to that of Avicel PH-102 and Avicel PH-302 (192-232 MPa). The tensile strength of LCPC and Avicel compacts increased linearly with increasing applied pressures. A comparison of the area under the tensile strength-compression pressure curves indicated that LCPC-4000 formed the strongest tablets. The strengths of LCPC-700 and LCPC-2000 compacts, in contrast, were slightly lower than that of Avicel PH-302 and Avicel PH-102, respectively. The compacts of both LCPC-4000 and Avicel PH-102 were intact in water for 6 hours, whereas LCPC-2000 and Avicel PH-302 compacts disintegrated in 4 minutes and 2 minutes, respectively. In conclusion, LCPC-4000 was the most ductile material and exhibited the highest compression and compaction characteristics. The corresponding properties of LCPC-700 and LCPC-2000, in contrast, were comparable to that of Avicel PH-102 or Avicel PH-302.