CAB-O-SIL M-5P

Product Information

CAB-O-SIL M-5P is an untreated and synthetic fumed silica that complies with the pharmacopoeia monographs: “Colloidal Silicon Dioxide”. CAB-O-SIL M-5P fumed silica is an excipient of extremely high purity that is suitable for use as a multi-functional additive in the pharmaceutical industry. CAB-O-SIL M-5P fumed silica is compatible with many pharmaceutical ingredients and can act as a flow aid to reduce common issues in tablet and capsule production including poor flow through the hopper, active/inactive ingredient segregation, and tablet breakage during compaction.

Flow aid

CAB-O-SIL M-5P fumed silica’s glidant and anti-static properties can reduce the friction and static charges in high speed tablet and capsule machines. The addition of CAB-O-SIL M-5P fumed silica can enable better spacing between the powder particles, reduce moisture bridging and reduce static charge, helping to improve flow and prevent bridging in the hopper.

Die filling aid

CAB-O-SIL M-5P fumed silica can improve the flow properties of the mixture and aid particle rearrangement within the die during the early stages of die filling and compression, promoting uniform tablet weight and active ingredient content.

Compaction aid

CAB-O-SIL M-5P fumed silica can also increase tablet hardness/strength by facilitating particle flow and rearrangement during the early stages of the compression process, which can increase the bonding strength between powder particles. This can help prevent subsequent tablet defects like chipping, capping, lamination and breaking.

Purity:

All CAB-O-SIL fumed silicas are produced through a pyrogenic process that results in one of the purest commercially available forms of colloidal silicon dioxide as defined by the US Pharmacopeia. In contrast, the production of precipitated silica requires the addition of a mineral acid to an alkaline silicate solution, resulting in a lower purity product that contains higher moisture, sulfates and chloride impurities. These impurities can have the following impact:

• High sulfates and chloride content can affect the stability of some active ingredients. Fumed silica has a lower level of ionic sulfates and chloride than precipitated silica.
• High levels of moisture can affect moisture-sensitive compounds. Fumed silica has a lower level of moisture than precipitated silica.

Ease of Handling:

A powder’s “ease of use” is assessed according to its fluffiness, ease of handling, and storage. At higher bulk densities and particle sizes the product is less fluffy and easier to handle and store.