US20240110342A1 - Performance infill for grass fields, process for the production thereof, and grass fields comprising said performance infill - Google Patents
Performance infill for grass fields, process for the production thereof, and grass fields comprising said performance infill Download PDFInfo
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- US20240110342A1 US20240110342A1 US18/221,464 US202318221464A US2024110342A1 US 20240110342 A1 US20240110342 A1 US 20240110342A1 US 202318221464 A US202318221464 A US 202318221464A US 2024110342 A1 US2024110342 A1 US 2024110342A1
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- 244000025254 Cannabis sativa Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 25
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 10
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 7
- VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L Calcium carbonate Chemical compound [Ca+2].[O-]C([O-])=O VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 47
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 32
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 claims description 22
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 20
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 229910000019 calcium carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000000049 pigment Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 229920005610 lignin Polymers 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 244000198134 Agave sisalana Species 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002488 Hemicellulose Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L barium sulfate Chemical compound [Ba+2].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010428 baryte Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052601 baryte Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000012764 mineral filler Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000454 talc Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052623 talc Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 235000012438 extruded product Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 55
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 11
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 10
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 8
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 6
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000002411 thermogravimetry Methods 0.000 description 5
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 230000003750 conditioning effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000000113 differential scanning calorimetry Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005033 Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy Methods 0.000 description 3
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- 235000005824 Zea mays ssp. parviglumis Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 235000002017 Zea mays subsp mays Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 235000005822 corn Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011368 organic material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004626 polylactic acid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000003019 stabilising effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920002725 thermoplastic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 229920002943 EPDM rubber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920005749 polyurethane resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000002798 spectrophotometry method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001757 thermogravimetry curve Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000746976 Agavaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000219310 Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris Species 0.000 description 1
- 244000060011 Cocos nucifera Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000013162 Cocos nucifera Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-GASJEMHNSA-N Glucose Natural products OC[C@H]1OC(O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-GASJEMHNSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 240000007594 Oryza sativa Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000007164 Oryza sativa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000021536 Sugar beet Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 244000193174 agave Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007799 cork Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000013016 damping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008103 glucose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000001727 glucose Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000009566 rice Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000009738 saturating Methods 0.000 description 1
- SBIBMFFZSBJNJF-UHFFFAOYSA-N selenium;zinc Chemical compound [Se]=[Zn] SBIBMFFZSBJNJF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004088 simulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005979 thermal decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
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- 235000013311 vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
- E01C13/00—Pavings or foundations specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating of sports grounds
- E01C13/08—Surfaces simulating grass ; Grass-grown sports grounds
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
- E01C13/00—Pavings or foundations specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating of sports grounds
- E01C13/08—Surfaces simulating grass ; Grass-grown sports grounds
- E01C13/083—Construction of grass-grown sports grounds; Drainage, irrigation or heating arrangements therefor
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06N—WALL, FLOOR, OR LIKE COVERING MATERIALS, e.g. LINOLEUM, OILCLOTH, ARTIFICIAL LEATHER, ROOFING FELT, CONSISTING OF A FIBROUS WEB COATED WITH A LAYER OF MACROMOLECULAR MATERIAL; FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06N7/00—Flexible sheet materials not otherwise provided for, e.g. textile threads, filaments, yarns or tow, glued on macromolecular material
- D06N7/0063—Floor covering on textile basis comprising a fibrous top layer being coated at the back with at least one polymer layer, e.g. carpets, rugs, synthetic turf
- D06N7/0071—Floor covering on textile basis comprising a fibrous top layer being coated at the back with at least one polymer layer, e.g. carpets, rugs, synthetic turf characterised by their backing, e.g. pre-coat, back coating, secondary backing, cushion backing
- D06N7/0086—Floor covering on textile basis comprising a fibrous top layer being coated at the back with at least one polymer layer, e.g. carpets, rugs, synthetic turf characterised by their backing, e.g. pre-coat, back coating, secondary backing, cushion backing characterised by the cushion backing, e.g. foamed polyurethane
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
- D10B2505/00—Industrial
- D10B2505/20—Industrial for civil engineering, e.g. geotextiles
- D10B2505/202—Artificial grass
Definitions
- the infill system is an aspect of primary importance for any artificial grass field: it represents a necessary condition for the safety of the athletes and establishes the performance levels; as a matter of fact, the infill provides appropriate damping and shock absorption, and it creates the physical-mechanical conditions for the development of the game.
- Infilling a grass turf substantially means filling it with granular inert material having the double task of:
- the sand represents the first filling layer and it is called “stabiliser” given that its main task is to ballast the grass turf to the ground and stabilise the surface.
- Performance infill represents the second layer of artificial grass and it consists of microgranules which can be of various types. Therefore, the main tasks to be performed by this kind of infill are:
- the state-of-the-art of artificial turfs lies in grass infilled not only with sand but also with elastic granules which improve play performance.
- Each of the type of infill has its advantages, and the choice may depend on the cost, or the balance between duration, elasticity, comfort, as well as the maintenance required to refill the material possibly washed out by rain.
- the present invention overcomes the disadvantages mentioned above.
- FIG. 1 image showing a sample of a grass turf comprising the performance infill of the present invention.
- FIGS. 2 . a - 2 . e images showing the samples of a grass turf comprising the performance infill of the present invention, before and after the treatments applied with the tests carried out.
- FIGS. 3 . a , 3 . b , 3 . c and 3 . d FTIR: ATR spectrophotometric analysis:
- FIGS. 4 . a , 4 . b and 4 . c Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC):
- FIGS. 5 . a , 5 . b and 5 c thermogravimetric analysis (TGA):
- the present invention relates to performance infill for artificial turf, wherein said performance infill comprises:
- the performance infill of the present invention has a diameter comprised in the range from 0.5-3.15 mm, according to the official FIFA requirements.
- Said renewable raw material may be obtained from various sources, such as for example trees, rice, corn, preferably ground corn, sugar beet, glucose.
- the expression “Sisal” is used to indicate a plant fibre obtained from the Mexican agave, a succulent plant of the Agavaceae family, originating from Yucatan in Mexico, which is very resistant, sound-insulating, anti-static.
- plant component in loose form preferably loose lignin
- ground plant component preferably ground lignin
- the present invention refers to use of polylactic acid (PLA) for the production of performance infill.
- PLA polylactic acid
- the present invention refers to the use of lignin for the production of performance infill, wherein said lignin is loose.
- the Applicant found that the performance infill of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art mentioned above.
- the performance infill of the present invention is fully vegetable, eco-friendly, according to the European directives, but at the same time it does not deteriorate rapidly like the performance infill currently available on the market.
- the performance infill of the present invention shows excellent properties in terms of elasticity, resistance to wear and bouncing of the ball, contrary to the eco-friendly products known currently.
- the performance infill of the present invention does not require refilling in the short and long-term, thus offering the grass field comprising said performance infill a continuous efficiency and durability until normal end of useful life thereof.
- the performance infill of the present invention may be recovered and regenerated through an extrusion process so as to be laid on the new grass field.
- the present invention relates to an extrusion process for the production of performance infill, wherein said process comprises the steps of:
- said temperature of step ii.a) is comprised in the range from 235-290° C.
- said temperature of steps ii.b) and ii.c) is comprised in the range from 240-295° C.
- said temperature of step ii.d) is comprised in the range from 255-315° C.
- the performance infill obtained with the process of the present invention has a diameter comprised in the range from 0.5-3.15 mm, in compliance with the official FIFA requirements, and it has the advantages mentioned above, overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.
- the present invention refers to artificial grass fields comprising the performance infill of the present invention for sports activities, play and sports surfaces.
- sports activities are selected from the group consisting of: football/soccer, hockey, tennis, padel, golf, rugby, artificial mixed football/soccer, natural football/soccer.
- said artificial grass field comprises:
- Test 1 Test 2, Test 3
- Example 2 FIFA 05a:2020 Test Method—Surfaces for Sports Areas—Vertical Deformation
- the tests were conducted at a temperature of 23.2° C. and a relative humidity of 51.3%.
- Test 2 10.0 mm 10.0 mm 10.0 mm Average of three tests 10.0 mm
- the tests were conducted at a temperature of 23.2° C. and a relative humidity of 51.3%.
- Example 4 EN 15306:2014 Surfaces for Outdoor Areas—Exposure of Artificial Grass to Simulated Wear
- the artificial grass blade of the turf has whitened for the same reason as the infill, given that it is in contact with the silica sand during the cycles. In any case, the artificial grass blades seemed flattened due to the pressure of the embosses mounted on the rollers.
- the new sample and the sample after wear show the same system performance, if not almost identical. This is due to the presence of the performance infill of the present invention, which guarantees high shock absorption value.
- Tests were carried at a temperature of 22.9° C. and a relative humidity of 52.6%
- Example 6 FIFA 05a:2020 Test Method—Surfaces for Sports Areas—Vertical Deformation
- Tests were carried at a temperature of 22.9° C. and a relative humidity of 52.6%
- Test 2 10.0 mm 9.0 mm 9.5 mm Average of three tests 9.5 mm
- Tests were carried at a temperature of 22.9° C. and a relative humidity of 52.6%
- measurement uncertainties are expressed as extended uncertainty, obtained by multiplying the uncertainty type by the coverage factor K corresponding to an about 95% confidence level.
- Such factor K is equal to 2.
- FIGS. 3 . a - 3 . d show the spectrum of a sample of the present invention ( 3 . a ), a spectrum of a sample comprising a pigment and calcium carbonate ( 3 . b ), a spectrum of a plant sample comprising renewable raw materials and calcium carbonate ( 3 . c ), and a spectrum of comparison between the previous ones ( 3 . a , 3 . b and 3 . c ).
- the IR analysis of the three samples shows a high correlation index between the sample of the present invention and the other two.
- FIGS. 4 . a - 4 . c show the spectra.
- the DSC analysis shows that the sample of the present invention has characteristic melting peaks observed and comparable even in the thermograms obtained from the analysis of the other samples; specifically at 83.3° C. like in the sample with pigment (84.7° C.) and 126.5° C./157.3° C. like in the Plant sample from renewable materials (125.0° C./152.5° C.).
- Thermogravimetric analysis conducted to quantitatively determine the weight loss of the sample when heating and verifying the presence of mineral load present in the tested sample.
- the test was conducted in the presence of a 50 ml/min nitrogen flow, starting from 30° C. up to 900° C., using a heating ramp of 20° C./min with a TA INSTRUMENTS TGA550 instrument.
- FIGS. 5 . a - 5 . b and 5 . c show the spectra.
- the TGA analysis shows that the sample of the present invention has thermal decomposition excursions observed and comparable even in the thermograms obtained from the analysis of the other two samples.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Road Paving Structures (AREA)
- Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)
Abstract
Performance infill for grass fields is disclosed, as well as a process for the production of performance infill, and to grass fields including such performance infill.
Description
- This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102022000020259 filed on Oct. 3, 2022.
- The infill system is an aspect of primary importance for any artificial grass field: it represents a necessary condition for the safety of the athletes and establishes the performance levels; as a matter of fact, the infill provides appropriate damping and shock absorption, and it creates the physical-mechanical conditions for the development of the game.
- Infilling a grass turf substantially means filling it with granular inert material having the double task of:
-
- stabilising the turf on the ground; and
- improving the play performance thereof.
- Two different types of infill are used to achieve these objects:
- I) Stabiliser
- As stabiliser infill for fields subject to possible approval—due to its chemical-physical properties—washed, dried and dedusted silica sand (quarziferous)—typically with particle-size comprised between 0.4 and 1.25 mm—should be used.
- In the presence of high-filament turfs, the sand represents the first filling layer and it is called “stabiliser” given that its main task is to ballast the grass turf to the ground and stabilise the surface.
- Although it serves the same purpose in turfs with low fibres, in this case it is the only required infill, therefore excluding the rubber layer, with the task of obtaining from the surface higher play speed and ball-control evenness (for example in tennis, football/soccer, hockey).
- II) Performance
- Performance infill represents the second layer of artificial grass and it consists of microgranules which can be of various types. Therefore, the main tasks to be performed by this kind of infill are:
-
- saturating the surface and the spaces between the fibres which would otherwise be “empty” (filler); and
- creating the best physical-mechanical conditions for the development of the game and the performance of the athletes (performance).
- The state-of-the-art of artificial turfs lies in grass infilled not only with sand but also with elastic granules which improve play performance.
- Various types of granular material are allowed for approval purposes:
-
- 1) Virgin EPDM rubber made of granules, where the raw material cannot be lower than 22% (the other requirements as for thermoplastic rubber).
- 2) Virgin thermoplastic rubber made of granules, free of dust, without recycled post-consumption components or scrap material deriving from works relating to other fields of use.
- 3) Mixture of organic material (particles, filaments and granules of plant origin) with painted SBR rubber, or thermoplastic or virgin EPDM granules, not exceeding 30% by weight of dried product.
- 4) Mixtures of 100% plant organic material (particles, filaments and granules), without added rubber granules.
- 5) Granules made of vulcanised rubber, coloured and encapsulated with polyurethane resin (obtained from PFU, old tyres): the granules must be washed, without dust, metal parts and textile, painted and encapsulated with a film made of pollutant-free special polyurethane resin which maintains the elasticity and resistance characteristics typical of secondary raw material.
- 6) Synthetic organic material made of extruded elastomeric granules together with a plant component: the latter should be at least equal to 20%.
- Each of the type of infill has its advantages, and the choice may depend on the cost, or the balance between duration, elasticity, comfort, as well as the maintenance required to refill the material possibly washed out by rain.
- Currently, the new European regulations prohibit the production of performance infill made of thermoplastic elastomers and vulcanised rubbers, and require that infill producers find alternative and strictly eco-friendly solutions. All plant material currently used in performance infill for artificial fields (for example made of ground coconut fibres, ground cork, corn) deteriorate rapidly over time due to their fragility and their low specific weight. They generally have the disadvantage of having to be refilled every two years.
- Advantageously, and surprisingly, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages mentioned above.
-
FIG. 1 : image showing a sample of a grass turf comprising the performance infill of the present invention. -
FIGS. 2 .a-2.e: images showing the samples of a grass turf comprising the performance infill of the present invention, before and after the treatments applied with the tests carried out. -
FIGS. 3 .a, 3.b, 3.c and 3.d: FTIR: ATR spectrophotometric analysis: -
- 3 a: sample of the present invention;
- 3 b: sample of the present invention comprising pigment and calcium carbonate;
- 3 c: sample of the present invention comprising renewable raw material and calcium carbonate;
- 3 d: unique representation of 3 a, 3 b and 3 c (indicated as X, Y, Z).
-
FIGS. 4 .a, 4.b and 4.c: Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC): -
- 4 a: sample of the present invention;
- 4 b: sample of the present invention comprising pigment and calcium carbonate;
- 4 c: sample of the present invention comprising renewable raw material and calcium carbonate;
-
FIGS. 5 .a, 5.b and 5 c: thermogravimetric analysis (TGA): -
- 5 a: sample of the present invention;
- 5 b: sample of the present invention comprising pigment and calcium carbonate;
- 5 c: sample of the present invention comprising renewable raw material and calcium carbonate;
- Below is the detailed description of the present invention.
- The present invention relates to performance infill for artificial turf, wherein said performance infill comprises:
-
- I) mineral filler selected from the group consisting of: talc, calcium carbonate, silica, barite, preferably calcium carbonate, wherein said filler is comprised in the range from 5-50% by weight, preferably 20-50% by weight;
- II) plant component selected from the group consisting of: cellulose and derivatives, lignin, hemicellulose, sisal, cotton and mixtures thereof, wherein
- said plant component is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight, preferably 20-50% by weight; and
- said plant component is in extruded and/or loose form;
- III) renewable raw material, preferably polylactic acid (PLA), wherein said renewable raw material is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight, preferably 0.5-50% by weight;
- IV) coloured pigment comprised in the range from 0-1% by weight,
- wherein
- the sum of said I), II), III) and IV) is equal to 100% by weight; and
- wherein said performance infill always comprises at least the components II) and/or III) and/or mixtures thereof.
- The performance infill of the present invention has a diameter comprised in the range from 0.5-3.15 mm, according to the official FIFA requirements.
- Said renewable raw material may be obtained from various sources, such as for example trees, rice, corn, preferably ground corn, sugar beet, glucose.
- The expression “Sisal” is used to indicate a plant fibre obtained from the Mexican agave, a succulent plant of the Agavaceae family, originating from Yucatan in Mexico, which is very resistant, sound-insulating, anti-static.
- The expression “plant component in loose form, preferably loose lignin” is used to indicate a ground plant component, preferably ground lignin.
- In another embodiment, the present invention refers to use of polylactic acid (PLA) for the production of performance infill.
- In another embodiment, the present invention refers to the use of lignin for the production of performance infill, wherein said lignin is loose.
- Advantageously, and surprisingly, the Applicant found that the performance infill of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art mentioned above. Advantageously, the performance infill of the present invention is fully vegetable, eco-friendly, according to the European directives, but at the same time it does not deteriorate rapidly like the performance infill currently available on the market.
- Advantageously, the performance infill of the present invention shows excellent properties in terms of elasticity, resistance to wear and bouncing of the ball, contrary to the eco-friendly products known currently.
- Advantageously, the performance infill of the present invention does not require refilling in the short and long-term, thus offering the grass field comprising said performance infill a continuous efficiency and durability until normal end of useful life thereof.
- Furthermore, the performance infill of the present invention, not worn out, may be recovered and regenerated through an extrusion process so as to be laid on the new grass field.
- In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an extrusion process for the production of performance infill, wherein said process comprises the steps of:
-
- i) loading—into a forced supply silos—a mixture comprising
- i.1) mineral filler selected from the group consisting of: talc, calcium carbonate, silica, barite, preferably calcium carbonate, wherein said filler is comprised in the range from 5-50% by weight, preferably 20-50% by weight;
- i.2) plant component selected from the group consisting of: cellulose and derivatives, lignin, hemicellulose, sisal, cotton and mixtures thereof,
- wherein
- said plant component is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight, preferably 20-50% by weight and
- said plant component is in extruded and/or loose form;
- i.3) renewable raw material, preferably polylactic acid (PLA), wherein said renewable raw material is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight, preferably 0.5-50% by weight;
- i.4) coloured pigment comprised in the range from 0-1% by weight,
- wherein the sum of said i.1), i.2), i.3) and i.4) is equal to 100% by weight, and wherein said mixture always comprises at least the components i.2) and/or i.3) and/or mixtures thereof;
- ii) extrusion of the mixture obtained from step i), wherein said extrusion comprises the steps of:
- ii.a) forced thrust of the mixture of step i) into an input chamber,
- ii.b) thrust—through an extrusion screw—and heating the mixture obtained from ii.a) to a temperature lower than the melting of the mixture;
- ii.c) thrust—through an extrusion screw—and melting the mixture obtained from ii.b), wherein said mixture obtained from ii.b) is molten to 60% of the total amount of the mixture;
- ii.d) thrust—through an extrusion screw—and total melting of the mixture obtained from ii.c), amalgamating the mixture and recovering the extruded product;
wherein the temperature of steps ii.a), ii.b), ii.c) and ii.d) is comprised in a range from 100-315° C.
- i) loading—into a forced supply silos—a mixture comprising
- Preferably: said temperature of step ii.a) is comprised in the range from 235-290° C.
- Preferably, said temperature of steps ii.b) and ii.c) is comprised in the range from 240-295° C.
- Preferably, said temperature of step ii.d) is comprised in the range from 255-315° C.
- The performance infill obtained with the process of the present invention has a diameter comprised in the range from 0.5-3.15 mm, in compliance with the official FIFA requirements, and it has the advantages mentioned above, overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.
- In another embodiment, the present invention refers to artificial grass fields comprising the performance infill of the present invention for sports activities, play and sports surfaces. Preferably, said sports activities are selected from the group consisting of: football/soccer, hockey, tennis, padel, golf, rugby, artificial mixed football/soccer, natural football/soccer.
- Preferably, said artificial grass field comprises:
-
- Artificial grass turf;
- Stabilising infill;
- Performance infill according to the present invention;
- Shock absorbing turf.
- Below are some non-limiting examples aimed at showing the advantages of the present invention.
- Test (and Test Conditions) Conducted on the Samples of the Present Invention
-
- EN 15306:2014 (Test not subject to certification by Accredia) Surfaces for outdoor sports areas—Exposure of artificial grass to wear simulation: Conditioning of the sample for a minimum of 24 hours at 23° C.±2° C. Test conducted at a temperature of 23° C.±2° C. and 50%±5% RH (relative humidity).
- FIFA 04a:2020 test method—Surfaces for sports areas—Shock absorption capacity: Conditioning of the sample not required. Test conducted at a temperature of 23° C.+2° C.
- FIFA 05a:2020 test method—Surfaces for sports areas—Vertical deformation: Conditioning of the sample not required. Test conducted at a temperature of 23° C.±2° C.
- FIFA 13:2020 test method—Surfaces for sports areas—Return of energy: Conditioning of the sample not required. Test conducted at a temperature of 23° C.±2° C.
- Extended Uncertainty
-
- FIFA 04a:2020 test method—Surfaces for sports areas—Shock absorption capacity: Extended uncertainty is calculated as 1.5%. Extended uncertainty is calculated with a coverage factor (k) equal to 2, corresponding to a 95% confidence.
- FIFA 05a:2020 test method—Surfaces for sports areas—Vertical deformation: Extended uncertainty is calculated as 0.7 mm. Extended uncertainty is calculated with a coverage factor (k) equal to 2, corresponding to a 95% confidence.
- FIFA 13:2020 test method—Surfaces for sports areas—Return of energy: Extended uncertainty is calculated as 1.6%. Extended uncertainty is calculated with a coverage factor (k) equal to 2, corresponding to a 95% confidence.
- Characteristics of the Sample of the Present Invention
- System made of artificial grass consisting of:
-
- Artificial grass turf: straight, single-filament and two-coloured with
blade height 40 mm; - Stabilising infill: silica sand with particle-size 0.4-1.25 mm; Filling dose 15 kg/m2;
- Performance infill: entirely plant-green; capacity 5 kg/sqm;
- Shock absorbing turf—EPP with total thickness of 22 mm.
FIG. 1 shows an image of such sample.
- Artificial grass turf: straight, single-filament and two-coloured with
- The tests (
Test 1, Test 2, Test 3) were conducted at a temperature of 23.2° C. and a relative humidity of 51.3%. -
Shock absorption Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 69.4% 68.9% 69.4% Average of three tests 69.2% - The tests were conducted at a temperature of 23.2° C. and a relative humidity of 51.3%.
-
Vertical deformation Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 10.0 mm 10.0 mm 10.0 mm Average of three tests 10.0 mm - The tests were conducted at a temperature of 23.2° C. and a relative humidity of 51.3%.
-
Shock absorption Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 34.3% 33.7% 35.2% Average of three tests 34.4% - The tests were carried out at a temperature of 23.0° C.±2° C.
- After the wear cycle, the infill has whitened due to friction with sand, but with a very limited generation of dust. This is clearly visible in the series of images shown in
FIGS. 2 .a-2.e, and in particular inFIG. 2 .e (referring to infill only). - The artificial grass blade of the turf has whitened for the same reason as the infill, given that it is in contact with the silica sand during the cycles. In any case, the artificial grass blades seemed flattened due to the pressure of the embosses mounted on the rollers.
- Only a few artificial grass blades broke, as observable in the last series of images relating to the turf with filler (
FIG. 2 .d). - The new sample and the sample after wear show the same system performance, if not almost identical. This is due to the presence of the performance infill of the present invention, which guarantees high shock absorption value.
- Tests were carried at a temperature of 22.9° C. and a relative humidity of 52.6%
-
Shock absorption Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 68.6% 68.3% 68.8% Average of three tests 68.6% - Tests were carried at a temperature of 22.9° C. and a relative humidity of 52.6%
-
Vertical deformation Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 10.0 mm 9.0 mm 9.5 mm Average of three tests 9.5 mm - Tests were carried at a temperature of 22.9° C. and a relative humidity of 52.6%
-
Shock absorption Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 34.9% 34.9% 33.8% Average of three tests 34.5% - For EXAMPLES 8-9-10, provided below, measurement uncertainties are expressed as extended uncertainty, obtained by multiplying the uncertainty type by the coverage factor K corresponding to an about 95% confidence level. Such factor K is equal to 2.
- Identification of the nature of sample through surface reflection analysis using FTIR Perkin Elmer series SPECTRUM ONE provided with Universal ATR kit (resolution 4 cm-1, single reflection on ZnSe crystal, 4 additive scans).
-
FIGS. 3 .a-3.d show the spectrum of a sample of the present invention (3.a), a spectrum of a sample comprising a pigment and calcium carbonate (3.b), a spectrum of a plant sample comprising renewable raw materials and calcium carbonate (3.c), and a spectrum of comparison between the previous ones (3.a, 3.b and 3.c). - The IR analysis of the three samples shows a high correlation index between the sample of the present invention and the other two.
- The analysis was conducted using the DSC technique with TA Instruments Q2000 setting the scans in the presence of an approximately 50 ml/min nitrogen flow:
-
- 1st heating: from 40° C. to 300° C. with gradient of 10° C./min;
- cooling: from 300° C. to 40° C. with gradient of −10° C./min;
- 2nd heating: from 40° C. to 300° C. with gradient of 10° C./min.
- Analysis conducted according to the ASTM D3418-21 standard.
FIGS. 4 .a-4.c show the spectra. - The DSC analysis shows that the sample of the present invention has characteristic melting peaks observed and comparable even in the thermograms obtained from the analysis of the other samples; specifically at 83.3° C. like in the sample with pigment (84.7° C.) and 126.5° C./157.3° C. like in the Plant sample from renewable materials (125.0° C./152.5° C.).
- Thermogravimetric analysis conducted to quantitatively determine the weight loss of the sample when heating and verifying the presence of mineral load present in the tested sample.
- The test was conducted in the presence of a 50 ml/min nitrogen flow, starting from 30° C. up to 900° C., using a heating ramp of 20° C./min with a TA INSTRUMENTS TGA550 instrument.
-
FIGS. 5 .a-5.b and 5.c show the spectra. - The TGA analysis shows that the sample of the present invention has thermal decomposition excursions observed and comparable even in the thermograms obtained from the analysis of the other two samples.
Claims (6)
1) A performance infill for artificial turf, wherein said performance infill comprises:
I) mineral filler selected from the group consisting of: talc, calcium carbonate, silica, barite, wherein said filler is comprised in the range from 5-50% by weight;
II) plant component selected from the group consisting of: cellulose and derivatives, lignin, hemicellulose, sisal, cotton and mixtures thereof,
wherein
said plant component is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight, and
said plant component is in extruded or loose form;
III) renewable raw material, wherein said renewable raw material is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight;
IV) coloured pigment comprised in the range from 0-1% by weight,
wherein the sum of said I), II), III) and
IV) is equal to 100% by weight; and
wherein said performance infill always comprises at least the components II) or III) or mixtures thereof.
2) The performance infill according to claim 1 , wherein said performance infill has a diameter comprised in the range from 0.5-3.15 mm.
3) A process for the production of performance infill, wherein said process comprises the steps of:
i) loading—into a forced supply silos—a mixture comprising
i.1) mineral filler selected from the group consisting of: talc, calcium carbonate, silica, barite, wherein said filler is comprised in the range from 5-50% by weight;
i.2) plant component selected from the group consisting of: cellulose and derivatives, lignin, hemicellulose, sisal, cotton and mixtures thereof, wherein
said plant component is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight, and
said plant component is in extruded or loose form;
i.3) renewable raw material, wherein said renewable raw material is comprised in the range from 0-50% by weight;
i.4) coloured pigment comprised in the range from 0-1% by weight,
wherein the sum of said i.1), i.2), i.3) and i.4) is equal to 100% by weight, and wherein
said mixture always comprises at least the components i.2) and/or i.3) or mixtures thereof.
ii) extrusion of the mixture obtained from step i),
wherein said extrusion comprises the steps of:
ii.a) forced thrust of the mixture obtained from step i) into an input chamber,
ii.b) thrust—through an extrusion screw—and heating the mixture obtained from ii.a) to a temperature lower than the melting of the mixture;
ii.c) thrust—through an extrusion screw—and melting the mixture obtained from ii.b), wherein said mixture obtained from ii.b) is molten to 60% of the total amount of the mixture;
ii.d) thrust—through an extrusion screw—and total melting of the mixture obtained from ii.c), amalgamating the mixture and recovering the extruded product;
wherein said temperature of steps ii.a) ii.b), ii.c) and ii.d) is comprised in the range from 100-315° C.
4) The process according to claim 3 , wherein:
said temperature of step ii.a) is comprised in the range from 235-290° C.;
said temperature of steps ii.b) and ii.c) is comprised in the range from 240-295° C.;
said temperature of step ii.d) is comprised in the range from 255-315° C.
5) An artificial grass field comprising performance infill according to claim 1 for sports activities, play grounds and sports surfaces.
6) The artificial grass field according to claim 5 , wherein said sports activities are selected from the group consisting of: football/soccer, hockey, tennis, padel, golf, rugby, artificial mixed football/soccer, natural football/soccer.
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KR100866903B1 (en) * | 2007-03-20 | 2008-11-04 | 트라이마크인더스트리스인터내셔날(유) | Infill material for artificial turf system |
NL2017214B1 (en) * | 2016-07-22 | 2018-01-31 | Synbra Tech B V | Artificial turf suitable for sports fields |
US11021842B2 (en) * | 2017-03-29 | 2021-06-01 | Brock Usa, Llc | Infill for artificial turf system |
EP4047131A1 (en) * | 2021-02-22 | 2022-08-24 | Improve Tec Hönö AB | Infill granule for use in an aritificial turf system |
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