Vol. 9, Special Issue 12, Part S (2025)

The efficient utilization of agricultural residues as sustainable industrial raw materials requires a thorough understanding of their physical and engineering characteristics. In this study, the physical and engineering properties of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) straw obtained from five selected varieties (RFC-2019, RLC-92, Shekhar, Neelam, and Sheela) were systematically evaluated to assess their suitability for mechanized handling and fiber extraction. Key properties including moisture content, straw length, diameter, fiber thickness, mass, bulk density, stem length, and angle of repose were determined using standard experimental procedures. The moisture content of linseed straw ranged from 28.18% to 38.65% (wet basis). Straw length varied between 318 and 483 mm, with a maximum value observed for the RFC-2019 variety, while fiber thickness reached up to 2.19 mm in the Sheela variety. The mean bulk density of linseed straw was found to be 7.92 kg m⁻³, indicating its lightweight and voluminous nature. The angle of repose averaged approximately 40°, reflecting limited flowability typical of fibrous agricultural materials. The results highlight significant varietal variability in physical and engineering behavior, emphasizing the need for adaptable design parameters in handling, storage, and fiber extraction machinery. Overall, the study establishes linseed straw as a promising underutilized biomass resource and provides essential baseline data for the development of efficient, variety-specific processing and valorization technologies for textile, composite, and other bio-based industrial applications.