Mechanical and thermal properties of maize

The mechanical and thermal properties of maize were determined at various m oisture contents. Rupture force decreased from 689.5 to 595 N and 330 to 15 6.8 N with increase of moisture content from 10.57 to 23.68% (db) for kerne l placed in germ side down and kernel on edge orientations, respectively. I n the same moisture range, rupture energy and deformation of maize kernel v aried from 138 to 565 mJ and 0.35 to 1.62 mm in case of the germ side down orientation while on-edge orientation, these varied from 132 to 243 mJ and 0.72 to 2.78 mm, respectively. Specific heat, thermal diffusivity and therm al conductivity varied between 2.002 and 2.996 kJ/kg degreesC, 8.33 x 10(-8 ) and 10.17 x 10(-8) m(2)/s and 0.125 and 0.193 W/m degreesC, respectively in the temperature range of 30 to 60 degreesC and range of 10 to 50% moistu re.