A glidant is a substance that is added to a powder to improve its flowability. A glidant will only work at a certain range of concentrations. Above a certain concentration, the glidant will in fact function to inhibit flowability.
In tablet manufacture, glidants are usually added just prior to compression.
Examples of glidants include ascorbyl palmitate,[1] calcium palmitate,[2] magnesium stearate, fumed silica (colloidal silicon dioxide), starch and talc.[3]
A glidant's effect is due to the counter-action of factors that cause poor flowability of powders. For instance, correcting surface irregularity, reducing interparticular friction and decreasing surface charge. The result is a decrease in the angle of repose which is an indication of an enhanced powder's flowability.