Experiment No: Date:

DETERMINATION OF BULK DENSITY, TAP DENSITY AND

COMPRESSIBILITY INDEX

AIM: To determine bulk density, tap density and compressibility index of given
powder/granules.

OBJECTIVE:
1. To understand the terms bulk density, tap density and compressibility index.
2. To study the packing and flow property of the powder/granules.
3. To learn the operation of Bulk density apparatus

REFERENCES:
1. “Practical physical pharmacy” by H.N. More and A.A. Hajare, Career
publications, Page No. 118-122.
2. “Physical Pharmacy” by Alfred Martin, B.I. Waverly Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 5 th
edition, Page No. 553-558.
3. “Developing Solid Oral Dosage Forms” by Yihong Qiu, Yisheng Chen, Geoff G.
Z. Zhang, Academic Press, Page No. 167-170.

REQUIREMENTS:
1. Chemicals: Powder and granules of Calcium Carbonate/Paracetamol
2. Apparatus: Bulk density apparatus, weighing balance and measuring cylinder
(100 ml capacity).

THEORY:
The powder properties are divided into fundamental properties such as particle
size and particle shape. There are numerous derived properties which are based on these
fundamental properties such as bulk volume, granule volume, tap volume, true volume,
bulk density, granule density, true density, flow rate, angle of repose, porosity, bulkiness,
compactness, consolidation and compression.

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VOLUME
a. True volume (Vp): It is the volume of the particles only. It does not include
interspace and intraspace volume. There are three basic methods to determine true
volume:
-gas pycnometry or displacement;
-liquid displacement; and
-floatation in a liquid.
b. Granule volume (Vg): It is the volume of the powder including intraparticle
spaces. Therefore, it includes volume of granules plus volume of pores.
c. Bulk volume (Vb): It is the true volume including inter particle and intraparticle
pores.
d. Tap volume (Vt): It is the volume of powder determined by tapping a measuring
cylinder containing weighed amount of powder. The cylinder is tapped for about
one minute (or 100 taps) to get constant volume.
e. Void volume (V): The volume of spaces between the particles (interparticle) is
known as void volume.
DENSITY
Density is universally defined as weight per unit volume. Depending upon different
volumes, three type of densities can be defined:
a. True density (ρ): It is the weight of the powder divided by its volume excluding
the voids and intraparticle pores of smaller dimensions. It is determined from
helium densitometer. Helium penetrates the smallest pores and crevices but is not
adsorbed by powder. Percent porosity is determined from true density.
b. Granule density (ρg): It is the weight of granules divided by its volume.
c. Bulk density (ρb): It is the weight of powder or granules divided by its volume.
Bulk density is used to check the uniformity in bulk powdered materials, to decide
the size of container, equipments for production, size of packing material and
selecting size of empty gelatin capsules.
The reciprocal of bulk density is called as ‘bulkiness’ or ‘bulk’. Based on bulk, powders
are classified as light powders (having high bulk volume) and heavy powders (having low
bulk volume)

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COMPRESSIBILITY INDEX (CARR’S INDEX)
The compressibility index (CI) is a measure of tendency of a powder to
consolidate (i.e. unite to form a solid form). As such it is a measure of inter-particulate
interactions. In a free flowing powder, inter-particulate interactions are generally less
significant, and the bulk and tapped densities will be closer in value. For poorer flowing
materials, there are frequently greater inter-particle interactions; bridging between
particles often results in lower bulk density and a greater difference between the bulk and
tapped densities. These differences in particle interactions are reflected

(ρt - ρb)
Compressibility index (%) = ------------ × 100
ρt
in the CI. It is important in maintaining optimum flowability of powders and uniform
tablet weight.
Lower compressibility value indicates better flow.
Flow character Compressibility index (%)
Excellent ≤ 10
Good 11-15
Fair 16-20
Passable 21-25
Poor 26-31
Very poor 32-37
Very, Very, Poor ≥38

PROCEDURE:
1. Weigh accurately _____ g of powder/granules (W1).
2. Place it in dried graduated measuring cylinder and note the volume as V1 ml.
3. Place the cylinder containing sample in bulk density apparatus. Adjust the
apparatus for 100 tapping and operate it. Record the volume occupied by the
powder/granules as V2 ml. (Note: Place the sample in both cylinders of apparatus
to balance the arms).

APPLICATIONS:
1. Determination of flowability of powders/granules:

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 Manufacturing solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules involves several
powder handling steps, including blending, transfer, storage, and feeding to a press or
a dosator.  The inability to achieve reliable powder flow during these steps can have a
significant adverse effect on the manufacture and release of a product to market. The
bulk density, tap density and compressibility index can be helpful in estimation of
flowability of powder/granules and thus the problems related to flow properties can be
avoided by taking the measures of prevention.
2. Dose uniformity:
The bulk density, tap density and compressibility index can help to maintain the
uniform flow of powder/granules in order to ensure precise weight of tablet and drug
content.

BULK DENSITY APPARATUS:

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OBSERVATIONS:

1. Weight of powder = ________ g

2. Bulk volume of powder = ________ ml

3. Tapped volume of powder = ________ ml

4. Weight of granules = ________ g

5. Bulk volume of granules = ________ ml

6. Tapped volume of granules = ________ ml

CALCULATIONS:

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1. Bulk density of Powder (ρb)

Weight W1
Bulk density (ρb) = ----------------- = ------- = --------------- =_________ g/ml
Bulk volume V1

2. Tapped density of Powder (ρt)

Weight W1
Tapped density (ρt) = ----------------- = ------- = --------------- =_________ g/ml
Bulk volume V2

3. Compressibility index of Powder (%)

(ρt - ρb)
Compressibility index (%) = ------------ × 100
ρt

= _____________ %

4. Bulk density of Granules (ρb)

Weight W1
Bulk density (ρb) = ----------------- = ------- = --------------- =_________ g/ml
Bulk volume V1 Page No:
 5. Tapped density of Granules (ρt)

Weight W1
Tapped density (ρt) = ----------------- = ------- = --------------- =_________ g/ml
Bulk volume V2

6. Compressibility index of Granules (%)

(ρt - ρb)
Compressibility index (%) = ------------ × 100
ρt

= _____________ %

RESULTS:

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 1. Bulk density of Powder = __________ g/ml

2. Tapped density of Powder = __________ g/ml

3. Compressibility index of Powder = __________ %

4. Bulk density of Granules= __________ g/ml

5. Tapped density of Powder = __________ g/ml

6. Compressibility index of Powder = __________ %

CONCLUSION:
The compressibility index of given Calcium Carbonate/Paracetamol powder/granules

indicates that the powder/granules has/have ____________________ flow property.

Signature of Subject Teacher Remarks:

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