| Some mechanical properties of mucuna bean seed were studied at different moisture levels to provide relevant data for development of cracking machine for the seed. The frictional coefficient of the seed on five structural surfaces (plywood, aluminum, glass, steel, and wood) was determined using the incline plane method. The mechanical properties were determined using a Universal Testing Machine. The coefficients of friction of the seed on the respective structural surfaces were observed to have increased with increasing moisture levels. The force to crack the seed on its major axis decreased from 1595.1 to 244.9N as moisture level increased from 4.79 to 18.53% (dry basis), with a similar trend also observed on the minor axis. The deformation on both axes... |
