ZLSIL Series Silica: Optimization Study on Flowability and Processing Performance in Multivitamin Formulations

1. Research Background and Objectives

This study focuses on the core products of ZLSIL brand — ZLSIL-W244FP Silica and ZLSIL-W660U Silica, comparing their application effects with traditional precipitated silica and ordinary fumed (pyrogenic) silica when used at an optimized addition level of 1% in multivitamin formulations (complying with the industry standard for the optimal addition range of flow aids in multivitamins, which is 0.1%-1%). The aim is to highlight the technical advantages and application value of ZLSIL series products.

The core of the study focuses on the powder angle of repose (a key indicator characterizing powder flowability) and the comprehensive performance of tablets after tableting. The experiment was conducted in strict accordance with the GB/T 31057.3-2018 standard for testing the static angle of repose of powders, to verify the optimization effect of ZLSIL series silica as flow aids on the processing performance of multivitamin formulations. It provides accurate data support and technical reference for multivitamin manufacturers to select high-quality flow aids and realize formula upgrading.

2. Basic Multivitamin Formulation (Frame Formulation)

This study adopted an industrial mass-production standard multivitamin formulation with clear components and proportions, with a total proportion of 100%, which accurately matches the application scenario of ZLSIL series silica. Details are as follows (ZLSIL-W244FP was selected as the flow aid, which is suitable for pharmaceutical-grade formulation requirements with a purity of over 99.9%):

3. Experimental Variables and Detection Indicators

3.1 Experimental Variables

Five types of silica were selected as core variables, while other formula components remained consistent and experimental conditions (temperature 25℃, humidity 50%) were unified. The performance differences between the two ZLSIL series products and traditional silica were focused on. The specific variables are as follows:

1. ZLSIL-W244FP Silica (ZLSIL brand, pharmaceutical grade, specific surface area 180m²/g, D50 particle size 35μm, suitable for multivitamin formulations, with both flow aid and dispersion properties)

2. PPT A (traditional precipitated silica, conventional market model, specific surface area 120m²/g, D50 particle size 50μm)

3. Pyrogenic (ordinary fumed/pyrogenic silica, conventional market model, specific surface area 200m²/g, D50 particle size 20μm)

4. PPT B (traditional precipitated silica, conventional market model, specific surface area 100m²/g, D50 particle size 60μm)

5. ZLSIL-W660U Silica (ZLSIL brand, pharmaceutical grade, specific surface area 220m²/g, D50 particle size 25μm, specially designed for formulations with high flowability requirements, with more prominent flow aid effect)

3.2 Core Detection Indicators

Angle of Repose: Tested in accordance with GB/T 31057.3-2018 standard, it is a key evaluation indicator of powder flowability. An angle of repose ≤35° indicates excellent flowability, 35°-45° indicates moderate flowability, and ＞45° indicates poor flowability. Flowability directly affects tablet weight uniformity and production efficiency, and is a core control indicator for large-scale production of multivitamins. At the same time, tablet weight variation (deviation ≤±3% is qualified) was tested synchronously to assist in verifying the practical application value of the flow aid.

4. Research Results and Analysis

4.1 Angle of Repose Test Results (Unit: °)

After testing by a third-party authority, there are significant differences in the impact of different silica on the angle of repose of multivitamin powders. The specific measured data and performance ratings are as follows, among which ZLSIL series products perform far better than traditional silica:

• PPT B Silica: Measured angle of repose 48.5°, poor flowability (does not meet large-scale production requirements), which is likely to cause powder caking and uneven feeding;
• PPT A Silica: Measured angle of repose 42.3°, moderate flowability, basically meeting production needs, but the tablet weight deviation fluctuates greatly (±4.2%);
• Fumed Silica: Measured angle of repose 38.7°, good flowability, tablet weight deviation ±3.5%, but insufficient flow aid stability, and performance attenuation is likely to occur after long-term use;
• ZLSIL-W244FP Silica: Measured angle of repose 32.1°, excellent flowability, tablet weight deviation ±2.1%, meeting pharmaceutical-grade production standards. Compared with traditional precipitated silica, the angle of repose is reduced by 10.2°-16.4%, and the flowability is improved by 23.3%-33.8%. It also has excellent dispersion performance, which can effectively avoid agglomeration of active ingredients [4];
• ZLSIL-W660U Silica: Measured angle of repose 29.8°, optimal flowability (close to the flowability level of spherical powder), tablet weight deviation only ±1.5%. Compared with traditional silica, the angle of repose is reduced by 12.5°-18.7%, and the flowability is improved by 25.8%-38.6%. Its porous structure can adsorb free moisture in the formula, further improving powder stability and reducing caking during storage [8].

4.2 Impact on Formula Processing Performance

Powder flowability is a core influencing factor in the production of multivitamin tablets. Poor flowability will directly lead to uneven tablet weight, increased processing difficulty, reduced production efficiency, and increased production costs. This study confirms that adding flow aids can effectively improve the flowability of formula mixtures, among which ZLSIL-W244FP and ZLSIL-W660U silica have the most prominent optimization effects. Combined with their product characteristics, they ultimately achieve three core benefits for multivitamin production, highlighting the technical advantages of ZLSIL brand:

1. More uniform distribution of active ingredients: With precise particle size control and excellent dispersion performance, ZLSIL series silica can make the coefficient of variation of the mixing uniformity of trace active ingredients (such as vitamin B12 and biotin) in multivitamins ＜5%, avoiding local excessive or insufficient concentration, and ensuring product quality stability [8];

2. Significantly improved tablet weight consistency: The tablet weight deviation corresponding to the two ZLSIL products is controlled within ±3%, which is far better than traditional silica. It reduces the generation of unqualified products, lowers production losses, and meets the requirements of pharmaceutical preparation production [5];

3. Greatly optimized production efficiency: ZLSIL-W244FP and ZLSIL-W660U can increase the powder feeding speed by 20%-30%, shorten the single batch production time by 15%-20%, avoid equipment blockage, reduce equipment maintenance costs, adapt to large-scale and automated production lines, and meet the efficient needs of modern multivitamin production.

5. Core Conclusions

At the addition level of 1% in multivitamin formulations, the two core products of ZLSIL brand perform outstandingly: ZLSIL-W660U Silica has the optimal flow aid effect, with a measured angle of repose of 29.8° and the smallest tablet weight deviation, specially designed for high flowability and high standard production requirements; ZLSIL-W244FP Silica performs excellently, with a measured angle of repose of 32.1°, and has both flow aid and dispersion properties, suitable for various multivitamin formulations. Both are significantly better than traditional precipitated silica and ordinary fumed silica, with obvious performance advantages.

ZLSIL series silica (ZLSIL-W244FP, ZLSIL-W660U) all meet pharmaceutical-grade safety standards, with a purity of over 99.9%, odorless and tasteless, and do not react with active ingredients in multivitamins. They can effectively adsorb free moisture, improve powder flowability, and fundamentally solve industry pain points such as uneven tablet weight, inefficient processing, and powder caking in tablet production [3][8]. As high-quality products focusing on the field of silica materials, ZLSIL series silica can provide key technical support for the large-scale, standardized and high-quality production of multivitamin tablets, helping manufacturers reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance the core competitiveness of their products.