© Impact Journals THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF DIFFERENT CULTIVARS DATES AT THREE MATURITY STAGES

The present study investigated the effect of three maturity stages on the basic mechanical properties of four date cultivars. Higher hardness values for the four cultivars were found at the Tamer stage relative to the Rutab stage for all basic mechanical properties. Higher hardness values for the four cultivars at the Khalal stage relative to the Rutab and Tamer stages were found using the compression test. Higher hardness values for the cultivars at the Khalal stage relative to the Rutab and Tamer stages, except for the Saqie cultivar at the Tamer stage, were found using the penetration test. According to the compression test, the elasticity modulus and rupture point values for the cultivars at the Khalal stage were higher than the values at the Rutab stage. The compression test also indicated that the elasticity modulus and rupture point values were higher for the cultivars at the Khalal stage than at the Rutab and Tamer stages. The longitudinal hardness values for the cultivars at the Khalal stage were higher than the values at the Rutab and Tamer stages. Moreover, the diametrical hardness values were higher for the cultivars at the Khalal stage than the cultivars at the Rutab and Tamer stages