Effects of Moisture Content and Knife Bevel Angle on Shearing Properties of Cassava Stems

Abstract

The effects of the moisture content and the knife bevel angles on the shearing properties of cassava stem were examined. In order to determine their effects on the shearing stress and shearing energy of cassava stems, the stems were classified into three regions: the lower, middle, and the upper regions. The results showed that the shearing stress and the specific shearing energy had increased as the knife bevel angle was increased from 20 to 40 degrees and that the moisture content had decreased from 64.27 to 17.67% w.b. The maximum shearing force, shearing stress, and the specific shearing energy were found to be 2.16 kN, 4.62 Mpa, and 55.58 mJ/mm2, respectively. Due to structural heterogeneity, the shearing stress and specific shearing energy were found to be higher in the lower regions of the stems.