MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF OIL PALM KERNELS (ELAEIS GUINEENSIS)

Mechanical properties including compressive force, deformation (mm), deformation energy (J), and hardness (N mm-1) were investigated for heat treated palm kernels in a compression loading test. The kernels were measured at pressing heights 60 and 80 mm respectively using the pressing vessel diameter 60 mm. Maximum pressing force 100 kN with a compression speed 1 mm s-1 was used to record the force-deformation characteristics. Maximum force was applied on the initial volume of material three times. The amounts of deformation, deformation energy, and kernel oil (g) decreased linearly in relation to repeated pressing of the initial volume of material. In contrast, kernel hardness increased. A little significant change in the kernels rate of deformation was observed in the entire test. However, in each test there was a measurable amount of kernel oil. The study indicated that a force greater than 100 kN would be needed to achieve higher percentage of kernel oil from heat treated palm kernels under compression loading.