Ait Ouazzou, AmineAmineAit OuazzouHarshe, Yogesh M.Yogesh M.HarsheMeunier, VincentVincentMeunierFinke, Jan H.Jan H.FinkeHeinrich, StefanStefanHeinrich2026-04-152026-04-152026-04-04Powder Technology 478: 122520 (2026)https://hdl.handle.net/11420/62662The tableting process relies on understanding how particle-scale properties influence macroscopic tablet behaviour. This study examines the effects of particle size distribution (PSD) and contact models on tablet compaction using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). The PSD analysis shows that broader distributions achieve higher final densities and reduced elastic recovery. To assess the impact of contact mechanics, two cohesive DEM models, Hertz–Mindlin with Johnson–Kendall–Roberts (JKR) adhesion and the Edinburgh Elasto-Plastic Adhesion (EEPA) model, were compared under identical compaction kinematics. While both models follow similar loading behaviour, the EEPA formulation retains more of the imposed deformation during unloading, resulting in higher final densities, lower elastic recovery, and a more persistent contact structure than the elastic–adhesive Hertz–Mindlin–JKR model. These results emphasise the importance of both PSD design and contact-model selection when predicting compaction behaviour and final tablet structure in DEM-based analysis of cohesive powders.en0032-59102026Elsevierhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Discrete element methodEdinburgh Elasto-plastic adhesion (EEPA)Hertz–Mindlin–JKRParticle size distributionTablet compactionTechnology::610: Medicine, HealthTechnology::620: Engineering::620.1: Engineering Mechanics and Materials Science::620.11: Engineering MaterialsNatural Sciences and Mathematics::519: Applied Mathematics, ProbabilitiesJournal Articlehttps://doi.org/10.15480/882.1697210.1016/j.powtec.2026.12252010.15480/882.16972