As a part of a study on detergent tablets, investigations were carried out to elucidate the compression behavior of a powdered surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), based on a comparison with the main component of the formulation, i.e. the chorine provider (DCCNa). The compacted SDS exhibited poor cohesion as well as delayed dissolution whatever the compression pressure. The microscopic observations and the mercury porosimetry measurements both demonstrated that a residual porosity existed in the tablets but the dissolution times were always long. A modification of SDS in contact with water, forming a structure like a gel, probably occurred, inducing the closing of the pores and thereby limiting the water intrusion into the tablets. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.