Experimental study on mechanical properties of sugarcane leaf

Abstract

<b><sc>Abstract.</sc></b> <b>Sugarcane leaf stripping is a crucial procedure in the harvesting process. The mechanical properties of sugarcane leaf have an important impact on the development and design of sugarcane leaf stripping device.</b> <b>In literature, most studies are focused on the mechanical properties of sugarcane stalk and this paper aims to explore the mechanical properties of sugarcane leaves.</b> <b>The mechanical test of sugarcane leaves was carried out on the universal tensile testing machine to study on mechanical properties of sugarcane leaves. The average moisture content of leaves in harvest period was about 12.5%. The change of tensile stress, tensile strength and elastic modulus of sugarcane leaves with different varieties and different internodes were studied, to adjust the structural parameters of the stripping device and the speed of the stripping roller to achieve the best stripping effect. The results showed that there were significant differences in the tensile stress and tensile strength of leaf sheath between two varieties (P < 0.05). There is a significant difference in the elastic modulus of leaves between different nodes of the same variety. There is no significant difference in the tensile stress and tensile strength of different internodes, because the samples had similar moisture content. The average stalk-leaf connecting force of GuiTang44 is 64.36N, and the average tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of leaf sheath were 1.39 MPa and 362.58 MPa, respectively; the average tensile stress, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of leaf ring were 59.61 N and 2.77 MPa and 193.30 MPa, respectively; the average tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of stem and leaf of GuiTang50 were 39.01N and 0.85 MPa and 385.78 MPa, respectively; the average tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of leaf ring were 37.07 N and 2.04 MPa and 117.70 MPa, respectively. Comprehensive comparison showed that the tensile resistance ranged from 50 to 70 N., and the research results can provide reference for the design and optimization of sugarcane leaf stripping device.</b>