Abstract:
The fracture resistance of
sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus L.) was
measured in terms of average compressive
force, deformation and energy absorbed at
rupture. Sunflower seeds with moisture
contents varying from 1.8 to 20.3% (wet
basis) were loaded in vertical and horizontal
orientations between two parallel rigid
plates. The average compressive forces
required to cause seed rupture were 43.36 N
for the vertical and 27.37 N for horizontal
orientations of loading. Deformation and the
energy absorbed at rupture point of the
seeds increased in magnitude with an
increase in moisture content for loading in
both vertical and horizontal orientations.
The results provide useful information for
engineers to design suitable sunflower seed
dehuller machine.
