Reproducible Powder Testing

Reproducibility, measurement sensitivity, and the usefulness of an analysis are inextricably linked. If a technique or instrument exhibits poor reproducibility, then measurements are ‘noisy' and only gross trends or differences can be detected. As the pharmaceutical industry strives for greater knowledge of its processes and products, this becomes increasingly limiting. In the area of powder testing, achieving the required level of reproducibility is especially challenging, but is now essential.

Many traditional powder testing techniques, such as angle of repose, the Hausner ratio, and flow through an orifice, remain largely manual. As a result, operator-to-operator variability can be an issue. In addition, the imprecise definition of methods and equipment for such techniques has a tendency to inhibit data exchange across different areas of powder testing and powder processing. Beyond these generic issues, we also have to consider those that are unique to powders and the effect they have on powder analysis.