PHYSICAL AND FRICTIONAL PROPERTIES OF ORANGE AND SWEET LEMON

Abstract

Availability of physical and frictional properties data of citrus fruits is limited. Physical properties (size, unit mass,density, color) and frictional properties [peak static, peak dynamic and average dynamic coefficients of friction (COF)] fororange (Citrus reticulate) and sweet lemon (Citrus sinensis) on five common test surfaces were measured. Average geometricalmean diameter (GMD) of orange and sweet lemon was 64.66.2 mm and 67.66.1 mm, respectively. The sphericity of orangeand sweet lemon was 0.93 and 0.97, respectively. Peak static coefficient of friction (COF) of orange and sweet lemon rangedfrom 0.27 (for aluminum) to 0.37 (for mild steel) and 0.24 (for plywood) to 0.32 (for galvanized iron), respectively. The averagedynamic COF of orange and sweet lemon ranged from 0.27 (for plywood) to 0.42 (for mild steel), and 0.25 (for plywood) to0.36 (for mild steel and galvanized iron), respectively. Test surfaces had a significant effect on variation in peak static COFand average dynamic COF for both of the fruits. No significant difference existed between peak static COF and averagedynamic COF for orange but significant difference existed between these two COF for sweet lemon.