Bode, Rajesh Reddy (2017) Compression and flexural properties of ground macadamia nutshell particulate composites. Coursework Masters thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Continuous environmental depletion has necessitated the need to undertake research on environmental friendly composite materials, which can additionally deliver high performance. As companion to the naturally produced fibres, the usage of agricultural by- products such as nutshells have seen growing interest for their application in composite materials. With the naturally formed efficient properties of Macadamia nutshells in terms of strength, toughness, density and biodegradability, continuous research manufacturing advanced composite materials using the Macadamia nutshell powder are being explored.
This paper presents results of the research conducted on the particulate composites that are fabricated using ground macadamia nutshell powder as filler and vinyl ester resin as a matrix material. Macadamia nutshell powder with particle size of 300-500µm and 500 700µm were used in the present study. The present study considers and explores the compression and flexural behaviour of the fabricated particulate composites with varying volume fractions of Macadamia nutshell powder. Results obtained from the experimental study were validated to analyse the loading performance of the fabricated material and the effect of Macadamia nutshell powder in the composite. The final result illustrates that the varying volume fraction of Macadamia nutshell powder had a substantial effect on the overall performance of the fabricated particulate composite material. Simple microscopic analysis of the material revealed that the void formation due to higher particle size and lower bonding between two materials was the reason behind the minimal load absorption capacity.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Coursework Masters) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address. |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - No Department (1 Jul 2013 -) |
| Supervisors: | Islam, Mainul; Mahmood, Nateque |
| Qualification: | Master of Engineering Sciences (Mechanical) |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Jul 2026 00:32 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Jul 2026 00:32 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | environmental depletion, naturally produced fibres, composite materials, agricultural by-products, nutshells, Macadamia nutshells |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/53280 |
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