ABSTRACT
Agricultural products exhibit elastic properties during the first portion of the load deformation curve, but visco-elastic (plastic) properties on increasing the load. The compression and shear tests were conducted for some vegetables like; potato,carrot and bitter gourd by SHIMADZU Ez Food Tester. The sample sizes of 10x10x20 mm, 15x15x20 mm and 20x20x20 mm for each vegetable was taken for finding their compressive properties. A cross head speed of 10mm/min was maintained. Similarly for finding out the potato. Carrot and bitter gourd, a sample size of 40x20x20 mm size was taken for each test speed of 10 mm/min, 15 mm/min 20 mm/min and 25 mm/min. The results of these tests are reported to be ; A maximum load of 89.8 N was observed with a test speed of 10 mm/min for sample size of 10x10x20 mm and 251.9 N for sample size of 15x15x 20 mm/min. and 387.2 N for a sample size of 20x20x20 mm of potato. For carrots the loads attained were115.7N, 267.3N and 422.1 N respectively. For bittergourd, the loads attained were 4.6 N, 50.8 N and 78.8 N at a speed of 10 mm/min . Shear test for a sample size of 40x20x20 mm for all three vegetables for corresponding test speeds of 10,15, 20 and 25 mm/min. The minimum cutting strength of 11.025 n at a test speed of 20 mm/min was required. It was found for bittergourd , a minimum cutting strength 7.4N at test speed of 20 mm/min.