Determination of physical-mechanical characteristics in potatoes (Fianna variety) as parameters for mechanical design

Abstract

Potatoes are one of the most important agricultural products due to their great nutritional and industrial value. However, the mechanization of this crop is low in many countries. The main aim of this investigation was to characterize the Fianna potato variety. The potatoes were characterized morphologically (polar diameter, equatorial diameter, thickness, geometric diameter, arithmetic diameter, sphericity, and weight), mechanically (static friction coefficient, rolling angle, and axial compression), and by impact and firmness tests. The sample potatoes were distributed into four groups (S1, S2, S3, and S4) according to their size. A random complete blocks design was used to determine the mean values of their characteristics. The results of the physical characteristics showed a higher coefficient of variation in the S1 group. All values tended to decrease except sphericity. The results of the mechanical tests show that the coefficient of static friction increases as the size of the potato decreases, while the relationship of the rolling angle was the opposite. The axial compression results showed values that decreased from Group S1 to Group S4 except for Young's modulus, which ranged from 1,306 to 3,697 MPa in the four groups. Determining these data is necessary because they represent design parameters useful for the development of mechanical equipment.