ENGINEERED NATURAL FIBRE COMPOSITES FOR OIL AND GAS APPLICATION: A REVIEW

ABSTRACT This paper affords a review of natural fiber reinforced composites centering on types and sources of natural fiber, fibers modification, fiber treatments, matrices (renewable and petrochemical), including their mechanical characteristic. This study established reasons why many companies especially in the oil and gas industry are looking at natural fiber composite materials: such as low price of natural fibers, reduction of weight, easy to recycle and are green in nature; when compared to petroleum based fibers. The paper also spotlights on future innovation and invention on the applications of reinforced composite, and the concerns that need to be resolved to encourage research in this area of study.