Experimental definition of compressive stiffness of cotton flock

Abstract

Definition of Young’s modulus for majority of materials is the routine operation. In case of materials with low stiffness this task requires special procedure and sophisticated machinery. Cotton flock is the case, where compressive stiffness of cotton flock is so small for direct measurement, so one of possible solution is proposed indirect method of its definition. Recently cotton processing industry uses dynamic methods of cotton cleaning, therefore it is required to know compressive stiffness of cotton flock in order to optimize vibration parameters of device and adjust them to current status of cleaning material. Real compression stiffness of cotton depends on many factors, so in this paper is made an attempt to create simple method of compressive stiffness definition, which can be applied in simple workshop. Paper contains initial assumptions, mathematical derivations of final formula, methodology of experimental research and results.