Mechanical behavior of macadamia nutshells

The paper presents the results related to the static mechanical characterization of macadamia nutshells, according to a procedure previously defined on hazelnut shells. Curved specimens were obtained from macadamia nutshells, and they were then subjected to three points bending testing between flat plates of a testing machine. Density, hardness, microhardness, mechanical characterization and microscopic analysis are also presented, related to two macadamia nut varieties. The specimens showed mechanical properties which can be compared with aluminum alloys ones. The behavior of each specimen was also compared with analytical results of equivalent curved beams, monolithic and multilayer.