Hard test for capsules

It can be difficult to do quick, accurate and reliable hardness tests on soft, elastic materials such as gelatine capsules because of the problem of defining some of their characteristics. With this in mind, German company Bareiss has developed the G7394A tester, which is now available in the UK and Ireland from agent MAPRA Technik. It is able to determine the elastic behaviour of gelatine, gelatine capsules, pectin, pastes and other similar materials.

The carrying capacity or firmness is determined by applying a certain power at a constant increasing load, by which a defined test anvil is allowed to break the material. The elasticity, which is the resistance of the material, is tested against the same increasing load and the result shown as a curve, illustrating the relation of 'loading time/pressure' in comparison with the standard curve of an incompressible body.

For example, during a 30-second test, the table will lift the test material against the test anvil of the measuring device at a rate of 0.1mm/s. The result is determined by the force required to move the table that pre-set distance/test time against the test anvil.

The operator can enter parameters, such as tolerance limits, measuring distance, operating mode, measuring range and data output.