Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.

If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options.

Abstract. Compression and impact mechanical properties are closely related to the damage of agricultural materials. In order to determine the mechanical properties of apple, the mechanical tests were carried out on the cortex and skin of apple with the universal testing machine. To determine the impact mechanical properties of apples, three factors including impact material, horizontal velocity of impact material and direction of apple drop was selected to design the drop test. The compression test showed that the radial and vertical modulus of elasticity of the cortex were (2.81±0.37) MPa and (3.96±0.69) MPa, respectively. The elastic modulus and yield strength of both directions were significantly different, while the latitudinal and longitudinal elastic modulus of skin was only significantly different (p<0.05). The drop test showed that the vertical damage resistance of fruit was stronger than the radial damage resistance, the damage amount of fruit decreases with the increase of the horizontal velocity of the impact material, and the surface roughness of the impact material will affect the damage amount of fruit. This study can provide assistance for further understanding of fruit compression characteristics and impact damage mechanism, and provide a basis for establishing a more accurate fruit model.