The effect of variation in compaction force on six direct compression tablet matrixes was investigated. An instrumented tablet press allowed direct measurement of applied and ejection forces. Hardness, apparent tablet density, and disintegration times also were determined. The disintegration time of spray-dried lactose tablets was essentially independent of compaction force. However, in the other systems investigated, the properties studied showed varying types of dependence on compaction pressure. A direct compression formula was developed and exhibits a decrease in disintegration time as compaction force is increased.