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Adequate knowledge of engineering properties is an essential prerequisite for the
scientiûc design and development of equipment for proper handling of cashew kernel. Some
engineering properties of cashew kernel were investigated. The properties investigated include
kernel length, width, volume, angle of repose, density, and static coeûcient of friction on plywood
and stainless steel, force–deformation behaviour during quasi-static radial compression, stiûness
moduli and kernel toughness. Cashew kernel was found to have an average length of 21.83+18.58
mm, average width of 13.64+11.09 mm, and average thickness of 11.48+8.80 mm. Using the oven
drying method, the kernel was found to have an average moisture content of 4.6% wet basis. The
average mass, volume and density of cashew kernel were 1.60 g, 1.48 cm3 and 1.17 g/cm3 respectively.
The mean values of coefficient of static friction were 0.5065 on wood and 0.6275 on stainless steel.
The average values of angle of repose were 26.85 on wood and 32.1 on stainless steel. It was
observed that in the axial position, the compressive force was about 51.26 N. Similarly, in the
lateral position, the force required to rupture the cashew kernel was 24.49 N Experimental results
showed value of Young Modulus as 91.26 N/mm2 in the axial position. In the lateral position value
of 90.13 N/mm was obtained. The kernel showed deformation of 6.675 mm and 6.430 mm at axial
and lateral positions respectively. The data obtained from this experiment is useful in the design of
machines required for various processing operations of cashew kernel.