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International Agrophysics |
publisher: | Institute of Agrophysics
Polish Academy of Sciences
Lublin, Poland |
ISSN: |
0236-8722 |
vol. 12, nr. 2 (1998)
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Some mechanical properties of plantain fruit |
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Asoegwu S.N.1, Nwandikom G.I.1, Nwammuo O.P2 |
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1 Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria |
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2 Department of Polymer and Textile Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria |
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vol. 12 (1998), nr. 2,
pp. 67-77
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abstract
Using the Instron Testing Instrument (Model 1122) fitted with a flat-faced cylindrical plunger, prepared specimens of mature unripe plantain fruits (peeled and unpeeled) were compressed axially at 0.83, 1.67, 8.33, 16.67, 25.0, 33.33 x 10'5m s"1 loading rates. From the force-deformation curves generated, some selected mechanical properties-bioyield parameters, rupture parameters and modulus of deformation-were evaluated.
The results show that for peeled specimens, all the determined mechanical properties increased with increase in loading rate and with fruit cross-sectional area For the unpeeled specimens the bioyield parameters and modulus of deformation increased with increase in loading rates > 8.33 x 10"5m s"1, while the rupture parameters decreased with increase in loading rates > 8.33x10'5ms"'. Only rupture strength, rupture energy and modulus of deformation for the unpeeled specimens decreased with increase in cross-sectional area All the other parameters for the unpeeled specimens increased with increase in cross-sectional area Also all the determined parameters were higher for the peeled than for the unpeeled specimens for loading rates > 8.33 x 10"5m s"1. The part played by the peel was also highlighted.
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keywords
bioyield and rupture parameters, loading rate, mechanical properties, modulus of deformation, plantain fruit
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