DETERMINATION OF SOME MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF MELON FRUIT

Authors

  • P. V. Kwaya Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Nigeria. Author
  • Z. D. Osunde Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. Author
  • I. M. Dagwa Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria. Author

Keywords:

Melon fruit, rupture, shear force, deformation, mechanical properties.

Abstract

The processing of egusi melon fruits has been mostly traditional and where processing machine exists, the efficiency is usually low and the machine therefore not economical. Thus, there is a great need to determine some mechanical properties of melon fruits that are relevant for its seed extraction, washing and shelling. In this work, points of linear limit (POLL), bioyield point (BYP) and rupture point (RP) were determined by subjecting the melon fruit to compression test and shear stress. Based on the compression test, the maximum force required to deform melon fruit is 2531N and the corresponding deformation is 35mm.while, the minimum force is 506N and the corresponding deformation is 16mm. The maximum shear force and the corresponding deformation is 608N and 26mm, respectively, while the minimum shear force and the corresponding deformation is 297N and 8mm, respectively. The results from this work are therefore recommended for use in the design consideration of melon processing equipment.

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Published

2025-05-07

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 1 (2009): Journal of Agricultural Engineering and Technology

Section

Articles