The Effect of Seed Size and Microstructure on Their Mechanical Properties and Frictional Behavior

Abstract

The seeds of grass pea were selected based on their size, hardness, and microstructure in order to examine their mechanical properties and friction coefficients versus mass. The size, shape, mass, and static friction coefficients of seeds were determined using adequate methods. Seed hardness was measured using compression methods, and it was described by typical and corrected fracture parameters. The microstructure of cotyledons and seed surfaces was viewed using scanning electron microscopy, and surface microimages were processed by digital image analysis. The length of the examined seeds ranged from 5.86 mm to 14.25 mm, their width ranged from 5.47 mm to 12.93 mm, thickness from 4.59 mm to 6.21 mm, mass from 0.110 g to 0.570 g, projected area from 28.55 mm2 to 148.73 mm2, and roundness from 1.060 to 1.126. The static friction coefficients for seeds of the examined accessions and varieties determined on steel, wood, rubber, and PVC surfaces were 23.4–33.3°, 24.4–37.2°, 29.6–50.4°, and 22.4–35.4°, respectively. For grass pea seeds of irregular size and shape, corrected fracture energy values (with regard to seed mass and volume) were proposed as a more robust parameter of seed hardness. The values of the static friction coefficient depend on both seed mass and the microstructural properties of seed surface digitalized with the involvement of image analysis techniques.