Côte - BoardDocs, a Diligent Brand · systems to leading organic offers. FieldTurf has carefully...
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7445 Côte‐de‐Liesse Road Suite 200, Montreal, QC, Canada H4T 1G2 • Toll Free: 1‐800‐724‐2969 • Website: http://www.fieldturf.com April 23, 2018 Re: Use of ZeoLite in Artificial Turf Systems FieldTurf, a worldwide leader in artificial turf, has a long history of successful innovation which has led to a comprehensive product offering ranging from standard rubber infill systems to leading organic offers. FieldTurf has carefully analyzed and thoroughly tested numerous infill systems, one of which is a material called Zeolite. Zeolite, a microporous aluminosilicate mineral, which is often used as a cat litter, has been used in some athletic fields as an infill medium, however, our testing and third party review has given us cause for long term concern specific to the friability / durability of the material. Specifically, a report issued by Bruce Bagley, a Certified Professional Soil Scientist concluded the following: “I would not recommend this material be used as infill in synthetic turf fields” “the material will ultimately breakdown and turn into dust form” “Once the material dries out and turns to dust, it will simply blow off of the field when windy/wind gust conditions occur…” As a result, FieldTurf will not offer a warranty on any Zeolite infill materials. With kind regards, Darren Gill Vice‐President – Marketing, Innovation, Customer Service
Transcript of Côte - BoardDocs, a Diligent Brand · systems to leading organic offers. FieldTurf has carefully...
7445 Côte‐de‐Liesse Road Suite 200, Montreal, QC, Canada H4T 1G2 • Toll Free: 1‐800‐724‐2969 • Website: http://www.fieldturf.com
April23,2018Re:UseofZeoLiteinArtificialTurfSystemsFieldTurf,aworldwideleaderinartificialturf,hasalonghistoryofsuccessfulinnovationwhichhasledtoacomprehensiveproductofferingrangingfromstandardrubberinfillsystemstoleadingorganicoffers.FieldTurfhascarefullyanalyzedandthoroughlytestednumerousinfillsystems,oneofwhichisamaterialcalledZeolite.Zeolite,amicroporousaluminosilicatemineral,whichisoftenusedasacatlitter,hasbeenusedinsomeathleticfieldsasaninfillmedium,however,ourtestingandthirdpartyreviewhasgivenuscauseforlongtermconcernspecifictothefriability/durabilityofthematerial.Specifically,areportissuedbyBruceBagley,aCertifiedProfessionalSoilScientistconcludedthefollowing:
“Iwouldnotrecommendthismaterialbeusedasinfillinsyntheticturffields” “thematerialwillultimatelybreakdownandturnintodustform” “Oncethematerialdriesoutandturnstodust,itwillsimplyblowoffofthefield
whenwindy/windgustconditionsoccur…”Asaresult,FieldTurfwillnotofferawarrantyonanyZeoliteinfillmaterials.Withkindregards,
DarrenGillVice‐President–Marketing,Innovation,CustomerService
Zeolite WarrantyThe typical Zeolite warranty includes the following provisions:
Only 60% of the product should remain to comply with the product warranty.
Warranty does not cover use in excess of 2,000 hours per year.
Technical Analysis of
Zeolites are microporous, aluminosilicate minerals commonly used as commercial adsorbents and catalysts. They were once reserved as a landscape infill alternative for pet applications, but have been recently used on some sports fields. As a result, FieldTurf’s Innovation and Performance Center conducted extensive testing on the product to determine if it could be deemed suitable for long-term performance in a sports field.
What is Lisport testing? The Lisport wear tester consists of two studded (cleated) cylinders to simulate actual field use.
Lisport Test ResultsAfter 2000 cycles, Zeolite pellets quickly degraded, resulting in a considerable loss in volume, with the pellets turning into dust. Crumb Rubber remains intact and unaffected.
HCR 37 Box 52 Sandy Valley, NV 89019 1-855-823-3777 [email protected]
Prior to Wear Testing
After Wear Testing
Prior to Wear Testing
After Wear Testing
• Zeolite is easily degradable and friable, resulting in a considerable loss of material.
• Due to the material’s fragile properties, usage of the playing surface needs to be limited in order to upkeep the product’s warranty.
Information P: (800) 724-2969 | F: (514) 340-9374 | E: [email protected] | www.fieldturf.com
What is Micro-Deval testing?Micro-Deval testing measures abrasion resistance and the durability of mineral aggregates.
RUBBERZEOLITE
Material SBR Rubber Silica Sand Zeolite
Micro-Deval 0% 1.7% 27,2%
Micro-Deval Friability Testing (ASTM D7428)
Micro-Deval Test Results:Zeolite was shown to be very abrasive, with abrasion loss of 27.2% - significantly more than SBR Rubber (0%) or Silica Sand (1.7%).
Lisport Wear Testing
Takeaways
ASTROTURF GREEN SERIES WITH ZEOFILL DESCRIBED AS
In 2015, AstroTurf announced the installation of their “innovative” Green Series (previously Golden Series) system with ZeoFill at Jesuit High School (CA), which they describe as “an extremely dense, short-pile turf system.”
Now, less than two years after installation, the field is experiencing issues with traction. On February 28, 2017 the Turlock High School varsity boys’ soccer team travelled to Jesuit High for the Division-I Sac-Joaquin Section semifinal. Turlock Coach Doug Sperry provided the following comments to the Turlock Journal:
The article also concluded that “Over a dozen players from both teams slipped after just 30 minutes on the pitch. The number jumped to 30 altogether for the entire game and included falls from both goalkeepers after a goal kick.”
“Not sure what the deal was with this field. Guys were on ice skates out here, it was hard for a lot of guys to get any footing or get any momentum or rhythm as well. The field was so slick I am not really sure what this stuff is or what is going on with it… It didn’t make things any easier.”
- DOUG SPERRY, COACH TURLOCK HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BOYS SOCCER TEAM
“PLAYING ONICE SKATES”
1.800.724.2969 | [email protected] | fieldturf.com
BELLE VERNON HIGH SCHOOL (PA)
The “Trib” wrote about the issues in an article titled “BVA addresses slippery field turf”. Belle Vernon was initially installed with “rounded silica sand to add ballast to the field” and was subsequently top dressed with crumb rubber.
The traction issues were highlighted by comments that “During last Friday’s BVA-Ringgold gridiron showdown, players who slipped and fell affected nearly a dozen plays. One Leopards receiver wiped out on what could have been a long pass completion.”
Superintendent Dr. John Wilkinson concluded that the field being “continually used” had “led to increasingly slippery conditions, particularly when the surface is moist or wet” and that the school had “…made AstroTurf aware of [their] less-than-perfect traction concern and they put a plan into action.”
ADDITIONAL GREEN SERIES / ZEOFILL ISSUESOTHER ASTROTURF GREEN SERIES FIELDS HAVE RECEIVED SIMILAR CRITICISM:
HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Only one high school in the region, Smoky Mountain High, uses an organic playing surface. “The final piece is the infill, which is made up of sand and a unique product called ZeoFill.”
“BlueRidgeNow.com” reports on why Henderson County Public Schools opted against ZeoFill in an article titled “Turf fields: School Board picks encapsulated rubber”.
“Those kids have had some real issues with the organic field they’ve played on,” said Superintendent Bo Caldwell. “They’re against the organic because it’s impacted, it’s hard, it scrapes on that field.”
The medallion reps assured the board their organic surface is completely different from Smoky Mountain’s field installed by Astroturf. Most of the board wasn’t convinced.
“What would the guarantee be?” said Chair Amy Lynn Holt. “If we put this on our fields and our coaches and our players hate it because it is not what you’re telling me what it is. What’s the guarantee?”
WHY ARE THESE TRACTION ISSUES HAPPENING?Testing done by the FieldTurf Innovation and Performance Center had concluded two important findings:
Zeolite is easily degradable and friable, resulting in a considerable loss of material.
Due to the material’s fragile properties, usage of the playing surface needs to be limited in order to upkeep the product’s warranty.
As a result, FieldTurf does not approve the use of Zeolite in its sports field systems. Ask us for our in-depth technical analysis.
1.800.724.2969 | [email protected] | fieldturf.com
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On a natural grass field the athletes cut, plant and release in the earth – not in the blades of grass. On an artificial turf field, the infill is the earth. FieldTurf’s infill provides the same biomechanical properties as natural grass, as athletes cut, plant and release. Like in natural grass, athletes play in the infill, not on the turf fibers.
FieldTurf’s infill system contains up to 9.2 lbs. per square foot. It’s the “heavyweight” in the turf industry. All other turf systems contain a lighter weight infill system, typically no more than 6 lbs. per sq. ft.
Stitch “gauge” refers to the distance between the rows of fibers in a turf carpet. FieldTurf is a “wide gauge” turf system. The rows of fiber are 3/4” apart for ideal cleat interaction. This spacing allows for proper cleat penetration of the infill. Proper penetration enables the athlete to plant, twist and release just like they do on natural grass - without undue torque transmitted to the knees and ankles. As a result, chances of injuries are greatly reduced.
All other turf systems use a narrower gauge, usually 3/8” or 1/2”. This narrower gauge results in turf that is overly dense, preventing the same penetration and positive biomechanical functions found on FieldTurf and natural grass.
The result is that the athlete plays on or in the fibers - not in the infill. This causes the fibers to wear faster and makes it more difficult for the athlete to get solid footing, causing slippage. We call this “The Skate Effect.”
FieldTurf was built by athletes for athletes. Our team has taken the time to design and produce a patented turf system that is engineered and quite unlike any other. The combination of our heavyweight infill system and our wide gauge turf spacing are two unique inventions that set FieldTurf apart from the rest.
THE RESULT IS PROVEN PLAYER SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE THAT IS SIMPLY UNMATCHED.
1.800.724.2969 | [email protected] | fieldturf.com
WHAT GIVES FIELDTURF IDEAL TRACTION?
THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE. FIELDTURF WORKS JUST LIKE NATURAL GRASS.
