Pharma Tablets

Pharma Test Tablets are certified metal detector test standards designed specifically for validating pharmaceutical metal detection systems. Each tablet features a low-density plastic carrier — 5.0mm × 10.0mm × 25.0mm — with a certified grade 200 precision metal ball visibly enclosed. Along with our Pharma Test Disks, these tablets are used for individual dosage and small product flow inspection.

Available in Ferrous Chrome, Non-Ferrous Brass, Stainless Steel (SS304, SS316, SS440), and Aluminum. Ball sizes from 0.30mm to 3.50mm.

Tablet Specifications and Quality Assurance

Dimensions: 5.0mm × 10.0mm × 25.0mm low-density plastic carrier with integrated precision ball sample
Maximum Ball Size: 3.50mm — the largest precision ball this format accommodates
Ball Size Range: 0.30mm through 3.50mm to match your system's sensitivity specification
Primary Application: Validation of pharmaceutical metal detection systems for individual dosage and small product flow inspection
Contaminant Types: Ferrous Chrome (FE, 7.80g/cc), Non-Ferrous Brass (NF, 8.47g/cc), SS316 (7.95g/cc), SS304 (7.95g/cc), SS440 (7.70g/cc), Aluminum (AL, 2.79g/cc)
Traceability: NIST traceable; each tablet laser-marked with size, contaminant type, and unique CoC number
Material Compliance: FDA-compliant carrier materials per 21 CFR 177.2470 and 21 CFR 177.3297
Ball Standards: Precision balls meet AMBA, AFBMA, and ISO 3290 tolerances
Design: Low-density carrier is transparent to detection systems — only the enclosed sample is detected
Tamper-Proof: Precision ball is permanently sealed inside the carrier; no user-accessible opening

Frequently Asked Questions

Pharma Test Tablets — Pharmaceutical Metal Detector Validation

A Pharma Test Tablet is a low-density plastic carrier — 5.0mm × 10.0mm × 25.0mm — with a certified grade 200 precision metal ball permanently enclosed inside. The tablet is passed through or alongside the pharmaceutical metal detector aperture. If the system correctly triggers a rejection as the ball passes through the detection zone, the sensitivity check is confirmed. The plastic carrier is transparent to the detection system, so only the enclosed metal ball is detected, accurately simulating a real metal contaminant of a specified size and material type.

Both are pharmaceutical metal detector test standards, but the formats differ. Pharma Test Tablets are rectangular carriers (5.0mm × 10.0mm × 25.0mm) designed to simulate individual tablet or capsule-sized product in a pharmaceutical inspection line. Pharma Test Disks are flat disk-shaped carriers designed for different inspection geometries or product types. Your metal detector manufacturer's validation protocol will specify which format — tablet, disk, or both — is appropriate for your specific system and product line.

The precision ball is a certified grade 200 metal sphere permanently sealed inside the plastic carrier. It is the actual test contaminant — manufactured to tight tolerances in a specific material (Ferrous Chrome, Non-Ferrous Brass, Stainless Steel, or Aluminum) and a specific diameter (the size you select). The ball diameter represents the minimum contaminant size your metal detector must reliably detect. Each tablet is laser-marked with its size, contaminant type, and a unique Certificate of Conformance number for audit traceability.

The ball diameter should match the minimum detectable contaminant size specified in your validation protocol or regulatory submission. Pharma Test Tablets are available from 0.30mm through 3.50mm. Your pharmaceutical metal detector manufacturer's sensitivity specification sheet and your GMP validation documentation will specify the required detection threshold for each metal type (Fe, NFe, SS). If you are unsure, contact Test Standard Labs for guidance on selecting the correct size for your specific system and regulatory requirements.

Pharma Test Tablets are available in Ferrous Chrome / FE (52100 steel, 7.80g/cc), Non-Ferrous Brass / NF (8.47g/cc), Stainless Steel SS316 (7.95g/cc), Stainless Steel SS304 (7.95g/cc), Stainless Steel SS440 (7.70g/cc), and Aluminum / AL (2.79g/cc). Most pharmaceutical validation programs require testing with all three contaminant categories — Fe, NFe, and SS. Stainless steel is the most critical because it is the hardest for metal detectors to reliably detect, especially in pharmaceutical product environments where product effect can influence sensitivity.

Yes. Test Standard Labs Pharma Test Tablets are NIST traceable and manufactured from FDA-compliant materials per 21 CFR 177.2470 and 21 CFR 177.3297. They are suitable for metal detector validation programs under FDA 21 CFR Part 211 GMP requirements, USP metal contamination guidelines, EU GMP Annex 11, and ISO 15378 pharmaceutical packaging standards. Each tablet carries a unique CoC number and Certificates of Conformance are available to support IQ/OQ/PQ validation documentation and regulatory inspections.

Pharma Test Tablets are designed for pharmaceutical metal detection systems used in solid dosage form inspection — including tablet, capsule, and similar individual unit inspection lines. The tablet format (5.0mm × 10.0mm × 25.0mm) is sized to pass through the narrow apertures typical of pharmaceutical conveyor detectors. For pharmaceutical pipeline or liquid product inspection systems, see the Pipeline Rods category. For larger aperture conveyor systems outside of pharmaceutical applications, see the Standard Rods category.

Yes. All Test Standard Labs products include full traceability documentation. Each Pharma Test Tablet is laser-marked with its ball size, contaminant type, and a unique Certificate of Conformance (CoC) number. Full Certificates of Conformance are available with purchase and can be retrieved via the CoC Lookup tool on the Test Standard Labs website. These certificates confirm the tablet meets its specified dimensional and material standards and provide the NIST-traceable audit trail required for GMP validation records and regulatory inspection.

Pharmaceutical GMP requirements typically mandate metal detector validation at the start of each production batch, following any line stoppage or equipment adjustment, at product changeover, and at the end of each shift. Some SOPs or regulatory submissions require more frequent checks — every 30 to 60 minutes depending on risk classification and batch size. Your specific validation frequency should be defined in your Site Master File or equipment validation protocol and consistently recorded in your batch records.

Yes. Test Standard Labs Pharma Test Tablets are universally compatible with all major pharmaceutical metal detection system brands including Mettler-Toledo (Safeline), Fortress Technology, Loma Systems, Anritsu, Cassel, Minebea Intec, and Thermo Scientific. No proprietary adapters or system-specific configurations are required. The tablet format is sized to work with the narrow apertures common across pharmaceutical conveyor detection systems.

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Pharma Test Tablet Aluminum

$25.00
Pharma Test Tablet Ferrous 52100

$25.00
Pharma Test Tablet Non-Fe Brass

$25.00
Pharma Test Tablet SS304

$25.00
Pharma Test Tablet SS316

$25.00
Pharma Test Tablet SS440

$25.00

Pharma Tablets

Tablet Specifications and Quality Assurance

Frequently Asked Questions

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