Abstract: (11279 Views)
In this study, some physical properties of Jahromi lime fruits were investigated. Physical properties such as mass, main diameters, volume, density, sphericity and geometric mean diameter were measured. Material testing machine was used to measure mechanical strength by using two plates compression test. The experiments were carried out at three mass levels (m>23 g, 18 g < m <23 g, m< 18 g), three loading speeds (100, 200 and 300 mm/min) and two loading directions [vertical (in maximum diameter direction) and horizontal (in medium diameter direction)]. Strength properties such as failure force and energy, toughness and elasticity module were determined. Result of physical properties of limes showed that the averages of mass, volume, density, sphericity and geometric mean diameter were 21.48 ± 5.98 g, 21.24 ± 6.00 cm3, 1.012 ± 0.008 g/cm3, 0.90 ± 0.04 and 34.07 ± 3.27 cm, respectively. Also, results showed that loading direction, loading speed and size factors had significant effect on elasticity module (p< 0.01). Interaction effect of loading speed and the size had significant effect on the failure energy (p< 0.01) and toughness (p< 0.05). But none of them have significant effect on the failure force. Moreover, the result showed that the loading speeds have indirect relation with failure energy and direct relation with toughness and elasticity module. Therefore, size had no effect on failure energy and toughness but size and elasticity module had indirect relation.
Received: 2009/06/28 | Accepted: 2011/06/28 | Published: 2011/12/28