CAPSULE FILLING VS. TABLET COMPRESSION
Mesh size is one of the most operationally significant yet frequently underspecified parameters in raw material sourcing for dietary supplement manufacturing. For formulators and production teams selecting between capsule filling and tablet compression, particle size distribution — commonly specified by mesh size — directly affects flowability, compressibility, and fill consistency, making it a key variable in manufacturing process selection rather than a secondary specification.
Mesh size refers to the number of openings per linear inch in the sieve used to grade a powder, with higher mesh numbers corresponding to finer particles. A material specified at 80 mesh has passed through a sieve with 80 openings per inch, yielding a finer powder than one specified at 40 mesh.
For raw materials such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and collagen peptides, mesh size is typically reported as a range (e.g., 40–80 mesh) rather than a single value, reflecting natural variation in the milling and screening process.
Capsule filling equipment, particularly high-speed encapsulators, generally performs best with powders that exhibit consistent, free-flowing characteristics.
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Finer Mesh (Higher Number) Packs more densely but is more prone to bridging or clumping in the hopper if moisture content or particle shape is not well controlled, which can lead to fill weight variation. |
Coarser Mesh (Lower Number) Flows more freely but may require larger capsule sizes to achieve the same fill weight, given lower bulk density. |
Formulators working with capsule-based finished products should confirm both mesh size and bulk density specifications together, since these two parameters interact directly to determine fill consistency on encapsulation equipment.
Tablet manufacturing introduces a different set of considerations. Compressibility is closely tied to particle size distribution, with a well-controlled mesh range supporting more uniform tablet hardness and reduced capping or lamination risk during compression.
Key risk: excessively fine powders can reduce flow into the die cavity, leading to weight variation, while overly coarse particles may result in poor binding and inconsistent tablet hardness.
Many tablet formulations incorporate granulation steps specifically to normalize particle size ahead of compression, particularly when working with raw materials that have a wide natural mesh distribution.
Because encapsulation and compression equipment respond differently to particle size, raw material mesh specification should be selected based on the target finished-product format and the specific equipment being used, rather than defaulting to a single mesh grade across all applications.
Buyers producing both capsule and tablet SKUs from the same active ingredient should evaluate whether a single mesh specification can serve both processes or whether two distinct grades are required to maintain manufacturing efficiency across product lines.
When qualifying a raw material supplier, buyers should request the following as part of the standard specification sheet, rather than relying on mesh size alone as an isolated data point:
✓ Documented mesh size range
✓ Bulk density
✓ Flow characteristics (such as angle of repose, where available)
At HS Nutra, we manufacture and supply bulk raw materials, including glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and marine collagen peptides, with mesh size and particle characteristics tailored to support both capsule and tablet manufacturing requirements. As a raw material manufacturer supplying bulk ingredients only, our team can provide detailed specification sheets to support formulation and equipment compatibility assessment.
Yes, mesh size can be specified according to your capsule or tablet manufacturing requirements — contact our team to confirm available options.
Yes, samples are available upon request for formulation and equipment compatibility testing.
MOQ and lead time vary by product and specification. Contact our team for current details.
Certificate of Analysis (CoA), including mesh size and particle specification data, is available for each batch upon request.
