Penn State Synthetic Turf Wear Testing Proves FieldTurf Revolution To Be The Most Durable

May 17, 2011 - PRLog -- Lisport wear testing was conducted at Penn State’s Center for Sports Surface Research in April 2011. Samples of FieldTurf Revolution, Sportexe Powerblade, and AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D60H were exposed to a total of 30,000 cycles on a Lisport wear tester. Ten random fiber samples were observed from each turf system after 10,000 cycle intervals and were classified into one of four categories – “Good”, “Hair-Splitting”, “Fractured”, “Complete Splitting”.

The fiber wear tests at Penn State University were conducted using a Lisport wear tester conforming to the standards outlined in both the European Standard for Surfaces for Outdoor Sports Areas - Exposure of Synthetic Turf to Simulated Wear (EN 15306) and the FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf – Handbook of Test Methods (May, 2009 edition).

The Lisport wear tester consists of two cylinders outfitted with studs (cleats) that simulate field use. Different sprocket sizes on each cylinder allows for a sliding movement of one of the cylinders. The model used in this testing also included a sample tray that produced movement transverse to the linear movement of the cylinders, allowing for even wear across the entire sample. Each sample was filled with crumb rubber to a depth based on manufacturer specifications.

The results leave no doubt that FieldTurf Revolution outperformed the other two systems under standard and heavy wear simulations. The Lisport provides for an indication of how an artificial turf system will age over time as a result of use. The results of Lisport testing provide an indication of the durability of the synthetic turf system.

Fiber classifications of each product for each 10,000 cycle interval from 10 random fibers removed from samples

After 10,000 cycles, all 10 FieldTurf Revolution fibers were classified as ‘Good’. Three Sportexe Powerblade fibers were classified as ‘Good’ while four of these fibers were classified as ‘Hair-Splitting’ and the remaining three were classified as ‘Fractured’. All 10 AstroTurf Gameday Grass 3D60H fibers were classified as ‘Good’.

After 20,000 cycles, nine of the FieldTurf Revolution fibers were classified as ‘Good’ while 1 of the fibers was classified as ‘Hair-Splitting’. Three Sportexe Powerblade fibers were classified as ‘Good’ while three of these fibers were classified ‘Hair-Splitting’, two were classified as ‘Fractured’ and the remaining two were classified as ‘Complete Splitting’. Six of the AstroTurf Gameday Grass 3D60H fibers were classified as ‘Good’ while three were classified as ‘Fractured’ and one was classified as ‘Complete Splitting’.

After 30,000 cycles, seven of the FieldTurf Revolution fibers were classified as ‘Good’ and three of the fibers were classified as ‘Hair-Splitting’. None of the Sportexe Powerblade fibers were classified as ‘Good’, two were classified as ‘Hair-Splitting’, four were classified as ‘Fractured’ and the remaining four were classified as ‘Complete Splitting’. None of the AstroTurf Gameday Grass 3D60H fibers were classified as ‘Good’, one of these fibers was classified as ‘Hair-Splitting’, seven were classified  as ‘Fractured’ and two of the Astroturf Gameday Grass 3D60H fibers were classified as ‘Complete Splitting’.

Important to note that FIFA, the world governing body for soccer, deems 20,000 cycles on a Lisport to be a ‘sufficient’ simulation for the wear of artificial turf fibers. The belief is that performing comparative wear tests to 30,000 cycles provides clear data on long-term fiber durability.

The full report can be downloaded off of Penn State University’s website at: http://cropsoil.psu.edu/ssrc/documents/lisport-report.pdf.