Disintegration of magnesium oxide granules and tablets was studied by thermal analysis. Disintegration was affected by the quantity of binder and disintegrator, and by granule size. The time at which surface area of disintegrated granule reached the maximum was constant, independent of size and quantity of binder and disintegrator. The effect of compressional force on tablet disintegration was examined and the values and deviations of U.S.P. method and the time, t
3, at which all tablet dissolves increased exponentially with larger compressional force. In contrast with this, values of t
2 increased linearly with larger compressional force and deviation was smaller than that of U.S.P. method and t
3. The values of t
2 seemed of value in examining disintegration and it was estimated that U.S.P. and t
3 represent localized properties of tablet in disintegration. Integral surface area and th e product of maximum surface area and t
3 were both independent of compressional force and the former gave smaller deviation than the latter. It could be seen from this result that when values of t
3 increased, the maximum surface area decreased conversely.
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