Artificial turf is a type of synthetic carpet that comes close to natural turf in texture and appearance. Various types of artificial turf are available for the corresponding sports. The artificial turf for a football pitch has different characteristics than an artificial turf for hockey or tennis. Requirements for the subsoil, the substructure, the building materials, the sports functional properties and corresponding test methods as well as the surface types of artificial turf are regulated in DIN 18035-7 (Sports fields - Part 7: Synthetic turf systems).
The synthetic turf surfaces differ from each other mainly in the material of the backfill, the fibre structure and type, the pile height and the fill height. A distinction is made between highly and partially backfilled constructions. Pure backfills with sand and layer-by-layer backfills with sand and rubber granules are used. Synthetic turf surfaces are now divided into categories according to their technological development. First-generation synthetic turf surfaces consist of short, dense synthetic turf tapes, connected to an elastic layer on a bituminous substructure. Surfaces of the second generation have longer synthetic turf tapes of medium pile density with quartz sand, which are filled almost to the surface and usually lie on elastic base layers. Third-generation rubbers have medium-length, much softer plastic tapes, a lower pile density and are filled with rubber granules and quartz sand. The 4th (latest) generation uses artificial turf fibres of different sizes and thicknesses. This synthetic turf should have the same sport-specific properties as an optimally maintained turf pitch, with a lower risk of injury compared to previous generations of synthetic turf.
Appearance: Due to the incorporated structures, a natural look based on natural turf.
Characteristics: Artificial turf allows for a high intensity of use, without the need for regeneration times. It is very hard-wearing and long-lasting. Except for weather influences such as frost and snow, it can be played all year round.
Use in construction: DIN 18035-7 provides an overview of the types of surfaces and areas of application of artificial turf systems, the suitability for the various sports and the possible construction methods for multifunctional use for the different sports.
Source: bauwion
