Abstract

CIRO V, HÉCTOR J.; VAHOS M, DIEGO L.  and  MARQUEZ C, CARLOS JULIO. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE FORCE OF FRACTURE IN TROPICAL FRUITS: TREE TOMATO(Cyphomandra betacea Sendt). Dyna rev.fac.nac.minas [online]. 2005, vol.72, n.146, pp. 55-64. ISSN 0012-7353.

Using the texture analyzer TA.XT2i, samples of tree tomato (Cyphomandra betacea) were subjected to a unidirectional compression load. Two load directions (longitudinal and transversal) and four loading rates (1, 3, 6, 9 mm/s) were used. The results showed that the fracture force is not dependent upon the direction of load and speed rate. The average fracture force was 1, 71 N (16, 77 kgf). Also, the fracture time is reduced when the load velocity is increased.

Keywords : Fracture; visco-elasticity; compression load; mechanical damage.