چکیده (انگلیسی):

The purpose of this study was to detect local gloss and surface
structure changes of sodium chloride tablets. The changes in
surface structure were reflected by gloss variation, which was
measured using a diffractive optical element-based glossmeter
(DOG). By scanning a surface area, we constructed a
2-dimensional gloss map that characterized the tablet’s surface
structure. The gloss variation results were compared
with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and average
surface roughness values that were measured by conventional
diamond stylus profilometry. The profilometry
data showed a decrease in tablet surface roughness as a
function of compression force. In general, a smoother surface
contributes to higher average gloss values. The average
gloss values for this material, in contrast, showed a
decrease as a function of the compression force. The sequence
of particle fragmentation and deformation together
with crack formation in sodium chloride particles resulted
in a loss of gloss for single sodium chloride particles at the
tablet surfaces, which could be detected by the DOG. These
results were supported by the SEM images. The results
show that detailed information regarding tablets’ surface
structure changes can be obtained by detection of local gloss
variation and average gloss.