Research Activities Using the Micro Materials Equipment at the University of Leeds

Current research at the Institute of Particle Science and Engineering involves the fundamentals of particle science, in particular on the development of relationships between microscopic and macroscopic properties and behaviour of particles. The nano-indenter provided by Micro Materials has provided a tool for a better understanding of the microscopic properties of particles in various research topics.

In developing an understanding of the compaction and breakage behaviour of pharmaceutical particulate solids, the knowledge of mechanical properties of the particles is essential. In our work, the nano-indentation of paracetamol and á -lactose monohydrate crystals in the sieve size range 300-600 µm has shown that the indentation fracture mechanics method can be used to determine Young’s modulus, hardness and fracture toughness of small single particles.

Young's modulus and fracture toughness measured with the nano-indentation technique are coupled with impact damage mechanics to analyse the extent of breakage

In grinding and milling, the stiffness, hardness and fracture toughness of the particles are key parameters in determining the ease with which the particles will break down. There is an on-going effort to relate the mechanical properties, determined by nano-indentation, to the milling behaviour of various pharmaceutical excipient powders.

We are currently in the process of exploring the possibility of conducting nano-indentation of small particles both at sub-ambient temperature and at different strain rate conditions with Micro Materials. We are also in the process of upgrading the nano-crusher, which was pioneered by our group and developed by Micro Materials, for measuring the crushing strength of small and frail particles at very low load as well as for quantifying their tribological properties such as friction and wear.

1 Bentham, A.C., Arteaga, P.A., and Ghadiri, M. (1996) Measurement of the mechanical properties and fragmentation of pharmaceutical powders. IChemE Research Event 2: 1039-1041 Leeds, UK, 2-3 April.

2 Bentham, A.C., Arteaga, P.A. and Ghadiri, M. (1997) Impact breakage of pharmaceutical powders. First European Congress on Chemical Engineering,Florence, Italy, 4-7 May.

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Roslyn Lloyd, MSc
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roslyn@lotoriel.co.uk

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