The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of fibre orientation and fibre loading on the flexural properties, free-vibration characteristics and moisture absorption behaviour of Sida acuta-fabric-reinforced epoxy matrix composites. S. acuta composites were fabricated to 0, 24, 28 and 32 wt.% fibre loadings with each having 0°/90° and ±45° fibre orientations using the hand lay-up method. The flexural strength and damping properties of the S. acuta composite were enhanced with fibre loading from 24 to 32 wt.% in both ±45° and 0°/90° fibre orientation composites. The maximum value of the flexural strength of the composites (43.3 MPa) was obtained at 32 wt.% fibre with a 0°/90° fibre orientation. The moisture absorption of the S. acuta composite was enhanced with increase in fibre content from 0 to 32 wt.%. The tensile strength and stiffness of the moisture-degraded S. acuta composite decreased with an increase in fibre loading from 24 to 32 wt.% after the equilibrium period (60 days) of moisture immersion. The nature of fibre and matrix material interface was investigated through scanning electron microscopy of a flexural fracture without moisture degradation and tensile fracture with moisture-degraded samples. The fracture surface morphology of the composite reveals that the fracture behaviour and fibre pull-out of the samples.
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