Department of Physics and Astronomy: Publications and Other Research
Date of this Version
September 1959
Abstract
A hardness tester, especially adapted for grain, was constructed by modifying a commercial portable soft metal tester known as the Barcol Impressor. A preloaded stylus is forced into grain sections prepared by means of a microtome. The displacement of the stylus, measured by a dial micrometer, is used as a hardness index. This has been related to the Vickers diamond pyramid hardness which is a standard metallurgical test. A number of hardness measurements may be made on a single transverse kernel section. The tester may be used for all wheat varieties. Significant variations in hardness within a single wheat kernel section have been demonstrated. While the hardness of a block of lead varied over ±½ hardness lumber, a kernel section of hard winter (Ponca) wheat exhibited hardness numbers ranging from 25 to 40, on the arbitrary scale of this tester.
Comments
Published in Cereal Chemistry Vol. 36, September 1959, No. 5. Used by permission.