2.
DETERMINATION OF BULK DENSITY, TRUE DENSITY AND PERCENTAGE
POROSITY
Aim: To determine bulk density, true density and percentage porosity of the given granules
PRINCIPLE
Solid bodies retain their volume and shape under atmospheric pressure. An important factor in
choosing a suitable sample for density determination is the question of whether the density is
required as a characteristic of a material or whether density determination is performed to check
for defects in a material. The choice of procedure for density determination will depend on this
factor as well. The density of particles, powders, and compacts is an important property
affecting the performance and function of many pharmaceutical materials. By definition, all
density measurements involve the measurement of mass and volume. Mass is determined with
an analytical balance and the key to obtaining reliable density values is in the accuracy and
precision of measuring volume.
Bulk density is a characteristic of a volume of divided material such as powders, grains, and
granules. It includes the volume of the solid material, open and closed pores, and the
interparticle voids. The total volume of interparticle voids can change with packing, thus
leading to the concept oftap density, which measures the volume of a mass of sample after
inducing a closer packing of particles by tapping the container. Taking this method to the
extreme leads to the determinationof void volume and compressed density after compressing
the sample under extreme forces and measuring the volume change as a function of applied
pressure.
True density is the density of the solid material excluding the volume of any open and closed
pores. Depending on the molecular arrangement of the material, the true density can equal the
theoretical density of the material. True density measurements can be performed on APIs,
excipients, blends, and monolithic samples such as tablets. In micrometrics studies high-
precision gas pycnometer which gives accurate to 0.02% of the sample volume are used to
determine true density.
Porosity consists of volume of the pores relative to the envelope volume used to calculate envelope
density. The porosity of pharmaceutical materials and medical devices can impact production,material
movement, and pharmacokinetic behaviour. Tablet porosity determines the tensile strength (hardness)
of tablets for a given composition. Tablet porosity may be regarded as a measure of the tableting
process. Variations in tablet porosity reflect various aspects of tablet press performance. Tablet
porosity may relate to tablet disintegration and dissolution. In the case of coated tablets, coating
quality may be affected by tablets porosity.
REQUIREMENTS:
Chemical Requirements: Lactose, calcium carbonate, talc, zinc oxide
Apparatus: Measuring cylinder, weighing balance, funnel, burette stand
PROCEDURE:
1. Determination of bulk density and tap density
2. 10gm of powder sample was weight accurately. Then it was transferred in to a 100ml measuring
cylinder. The volume was noted as bulk volume V1. Then the measuring cylinder was tapped 100
times. The volume noted as tapped volume.
Bulk Density = Weight/Bulk Volume
Tapped Density=Weight/Tapped Volume
1. Determination of carr 's index and hausner’s ratio: -
Carr's Index= {(Tapped Density -Bulk Density) /Tapped Density}
x 100Hausner's Ratio=Tapped Density/Bulk Density.
1. Calculation of bulk density:
Bulk density (pB) = Mass/Bulk Volume
2. Calculation of true density
True density (pi) =
3. Calculation of
Porosity: Porosity
Total porosity =
Observations:
1. Weight of powder (w1) =25.grams
2. Volume of measuring cylinder occupied by powder (V1) =….mL
3. Volume of measuring cylinder occupied by powder after tapping (V2) = ......... mL
4. Volume of density bottle (V3) = ........ mL
5. Weight of powder in density bottle = 10 grams
6. Volume of solvent added to density bottle (V4)= .......... mL.
7. True volume of powder (VT) = V3 — V4 mL
Calculations:
Report
The bulk density of the given sample of granules was found to be = g/cm3
The true density of a given powder was found to be = g/cm3
The percentage porosity of the a given powder is =%
IMPORTANT QUESTION
Define bulk density and how is it measured?
What is true density and how does it differ from bulk density?
How is porosity calculated from bulk and true density?
Why is porosity important in pharmaceutical formulations?
Which equipment is commonly used to determine true density?
