SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/50965
Facility&Operations | Infill Guide Guide to synthetic CRUMB RUBBER AND COATED RUBBER INFILL Crumb Rubber is derived from scrap car and truck tires that are ground up and recycled. Two types of crumb rubber infill exist: Ambi- ent and Cryogenic. Together these make up the most widely used infill in the synthetic sports field and landscape market. Crumb rubber in- fill is substantially metal free, and, according to the STC Guidelines for Crumb Rubber Infill, should not contain liberated fiber in an amount that exceeds .01% of the total weight of crumb rubber, or .6 lbs. per ton. Coated Rubber: Both ambient and cryogenic rubber can be coated with colorants, sealers, or anti-microbial substances if desired. Coated rub- ber provides additional aesthetic appeal, reduc- tion of dust by products during the manufacturing process and complete encapsula- tion of the rubber particle. EPDM INFILL EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is a polymer elastomer with high re- sistance to abrasion and wear and will not change its solid form under high temperatures. Typical EPDM colors are green and tan. EPDM has proven its durability as an infill product in all types of climates. Its excellent elasticity properties and resistance to atmospheric and chemical agents provide a stable, high performance infill product. ORGANIC INFILL There are several organic infills available in the North American market, all utilizing different organic components, such as natural cork and/or ground fibers from the outside shell of the co- conut. These products can be utilized in profes- sional sports applications as well as for landscaping. At the end of its life cycle it can be recycled directly into the environment. SAND (SILICA) AND COATED SILICA SAND INFILL Pure silica sand is one of the original infilling materials utilized in synthetic turf. This product is a natural infill that is non-toxic, chemically stable and fracture resistant. Silica sand infills are 36 SportsTurf | January 2012 BRAND NAME: CUSHIONFALL SPORT infill products Glossary of Terms from the Synthetic Turf Council: typically tan, off-tan or white in color and - de- pending upon plant location – may be round or sub-round in particle shape. As a natural product there is no possibility of heavy metals, and the dust/turbidity rating is less than 100. It can be used in conjunction with many other infills on the market to provide a safe and more realistic playing surface. The round shape plays an inte- gral part in the synthetic turf system. It is impor- tant that silica sand have a high purity (greater than 90%) to resist crushing and absorption of bacteria and other field contaminants. Silica sand can either be coated with different materials as a standalone product or can be used to firm up in combination with traditional crumb rubber infill systems. Coated Silica Sand. This class of infill consists of coated, high-purity silica sand with either a soft or rigid coating specifically engineered for synthetic turf. These coatings are either elas- tomeric or acrylic in nature (non-toxic) and form a bond with the sand grain sealing it from bacte- ria to provide superior performance and durabil- ity over the life of a field. Coated sand is available in various sizes to meet the application's needs. Depending on the amount and type of infill, coated sands can either be used with or without a pad and are available in various colors. All of the coatings are non-toxic and are bonded to the quartz grain for superior performance and dura- bility over the life of your field. These materials are typically used as a homogenous infill which provides both ballast and shock absorbing quali- ties to a synthetic turf application. TPE INFILL Thermo plastic elastomer (TPE) infill is non- toxic, heavy metal free, available in a variety of colors that resist fading, very long lasting, and 100% recyclable and reusable as infill when the field is replaced. TPE infill, when utilizing virgin- based resins, will offer consistent performance and excellent g-max over a wide temperature range. ■ Thanks to Lew Shrubsole, CPM, CPSM, SCMP, manager - supply & logistics, Target Tech- nologies Int. Inc. What it is: Colored and Encapsulated SBR Recycled Crumb Rubber Infill, cov- ered in a special coating using a spe- cialized patent-pending process. Selling points: - Lead free - Reduces heavy metal leachates of crumb rubber by 80% - Less odor and dust - Minimizes static cling - Improves water permeability - Improves Gmax levels Color: Green or Tan Manufacturer: Color Biotics BRAND NAME: CUSHIONFALL SPORT GREEN What it is: Rubber infill coating Selling points: - Bright green encapsulation of rubber crumb material contributes to vibrant, more realistic-appearing surface (better for HD TV) - Extends life of crumb rubber and is UV-resistant, helping fields retain their shock-absorption properties and re- ducing static - Reduces volatile organic compounds by 71% and heavy metal runoff by 80% Colors: Green, Tan, Silver Manufacturer: Color Biotics BRAND NAME: ENVIROFILL What it is: Acrylic-coated, rounded sand Selling points: - Lower the surface temperature of a synthetic turf field. - "Microban" protection against bacte- ria, mold and mildew that can cause stains, odors and product deterioration. - Can be reused for at least two turf life- cycles because it's not mixed with other infills - Round infill plays very consistent - No odor, dust, leachate or VOC's. - Does not cling Colors: Green or Cool Tan Manufacturer: USGreentech www.sportsturfonline.com