The objective of presented projected was to investigate the elastic behavior (Elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio) of three common Iranian varieties of sunflower seeds and their kernels (Azargol, Fandoghi and Shahroodi) as a function of moisture content, size and loading rate. The obtained results showed that elastic modulus of sunflower seeds and their kernels decreased with increasing moisture content from 3% to 14% d.b, and also increasing loading rate from 2 to 10 mmmin-1 for all studied varieties and size categories. Average Poisson’s ratio values of Azargol, Fandoghi and Shahroodi seeds from 0.28 to 0.35, 0.31 – 0.38, 0.33 – 0.42, were obtained for moisture levels ranging from 3 to 14% d.b, respectively. Poisson’s ratio increased from 0.281 to 0.357, 314 to 0.387 and 0.346 to 0.42 at loading rates of 2 to 10 mmmin-1, for Azargol, Fandoghi and Shahroodi seeds, respectively. The Poisson’s ratio and elastic modulus of sunflower seed and its kernel also exhibit a positive relationship with size for all studied varieties, moisture content and loading rates.

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