Investigation of the film formation of magnesium stearate by applying a flow-through dissolution technique.

The film formation of magnesium stearate on the surface of acetylsalicylic acid was investigated by applying a flow-through dissolution technique. The effect of mixing time, lubricant surface area, and the addition of colloidal silica was studied. The film formation increased by increasing mixing time. The final level reached was independent of the specific surface area of the lubricants, but granular magnesium stearate gave a lower surface coverage than the powdered lubricants. The lubricating effect was independent of the mixing time and specific surface area of the lubricants. Colloidal silica was found to interact primarily with the free fraction of magnesium stearate.