Dimensional Specification:
The following specifications apply to Capsugel hard gelatin capsules.
Weight:
The average capsule weight of an order is estimated by a representative sample average of 100 capsules falling within the limits given bellow:
(values in mg for one capsules)
| Size | Target (mg) | Limits (mg) |
| 000 | 163 | 150 – 176 |
| 00 | 122 | 112 – 132 |
| 0 el | 112 | 103 – 121 |
| 0 | 96 | 86 – 105 |
| 1 | 77 | 69 – 85 |
| 2 | 62 | 56 – 68 |
| 3 | 49 | 44 – 54 |
| 4 | 39 | 36 – 44 |
| 5 | 27 | 24 - 36 |
A moisture content of 14% to 14.5% is assumed upper and lower limits are given at the 99.9% confidence level.
In empty hard gelatin capsule production wall thickness is carefully monitored and controlled by the regulation of gelatin solution viscosity. However, since the physical properties of raw gelatin are not constant. Solution density may vary and affect the resultant capsule weight. Therefore the above target weight should not be used as tare weights in capsule filling samples from the actual batch being filled should be taken as tare weights.
Capsule capacity:
The average capsule volume and filled capsule weight capacity for typical powder dose densities is as follows:
| Capsule Size | Capsule Volume ML of Water | Capsule weight capacity in mg | |||
| Powder dose density | |||||
| 0.6 g/cc | 0.8 g/cc | 1.0 g/cc | 1.2 g/cc | ||
| 000 | 1.37 | 822 | 1096 | 1370 | 1644 |
| 00 | 0.95 | 520 | 760 | 950 | 1140 |
| 0 el | 0.78 | 458 | 624 | 780 | 936 |
| 0 | 0.68 | 408 | 544 | 680 | 816 |
| 1 | 0.50 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 |
| 2 | 0.37 | 222 | 296 | 370 | 444 |
| 3 | 0.30 | 180 | 240 | 300 | 360 |
| 4 | 0.21 | 126 | 168 | 210 | 252 |
| 5 | 0.13 | 78 | 104 | 130 | 156 |
The above data are to be considered as approximations since filling product variables and filling machine type can significantly affect the capsule weight capacity.
