Studies on physical, gravimetric, frictional and mechanical preperties of dry-date (Phoenix dactylifera)

Khadwari, Mazdool and Shamran, the three popular varities of dry-date were evaluated for their physical (size, sphericity, thousand kernel weight), gravimetric (bulk density, true density, porosity), frictional (angle of repose, co-efficient of friction) and mechanical (hardness) properties. The moisture content of the selected varities ranged between 11–120/0 (w.b.). The Mazdool variety was found to be larger (2.673 cm) as compared to the other two varities and showed the highest value of co-efficient of friction for all the three surfaces viz. Wood, G.I. Sheet and Aluminium and the values were 0.35, 0.48 and 0.69 respectively. Bulk dwensity and porosity ranged between 0.20 to 0.44 gm/cm³ and 32.75% to 68.63% respectively for the selected varieties. Shamran had the highest value (35.8°) of angle of repose and was found to be hardest (7.6 kg-f) as compared to Khadwari and Mazdool.