Artificial turf systems having a vulcanised thermoplastic elastomer or styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene polymer as infill material
The present invention relates to the use of a vulcanised thermoplastic elastomer or styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene polymer (SEBS) as infill material in artificial turf systems. Artificial turf has achieved growing popularity in recent years, particularly for football fields. The vulcanised thermoplastic elastomer comprises a polyolefin and a rubber wherein the rubber is dynamically vulcanised by the use of a curing agent. The polyolefin is chosen from polyethylene or polypropylene and the rubber is chosen from EPDM or EPM. The rubber is dynamically vulcanised by a curing agent chosen from sulfur, sulfurous compounds, metal oxides, maleimides, phenol resins, silanes or peroxides.
1. An artificial turf system which comprises a vulcanised thermoplastic elastomer or styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene polymer (SEBS) as infill material.
2. The artificial turf system according to claim 1 in the form of artificial grass.
3. The artificial turf system according to claim 1 , wherein the vulcanised thermoplastic elastomer comprises a polyolefin and a rubber, and wherein the rubber is dynamically vulcanised by the use of a curing agent.
4. The artificial turf system according to claim 3 wherein the polyolefin is chosen from polyethylene or polypropylene and the rubber is chosen from ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers (EPDM) or ethylene-propylene copolymers (EPM).
5. The artificial turf system according to claim 3 , wherein the rubber is dynamically vulcanised by a curing agent chosen from sulfur, sulfurous compounds, metal oxides, maleimides, phenol resins, silanes or peroxides.
6. The artificial turf system according to claim 5 , wherein the rubber is dynamically vulcanised by a peroxide.
7. The artificial turf system according to claim 3 , wherein the rubber is vulcanised to a gel content higher than 70%.
8. An athletic field surface which comprises the artificial turf system according to claim 1 , wherein the athletic field surface is chosen from soccer fields, hockey fields or tennis courts.