- Title
- The effects of natural and artificial UV exposure on the physical properties of synthetic turf used for various sports fields
- Creator
- Zuzarte, Adriano Coutinho, Deon, KRUGER
- Subject
- Ultraviolet radiation, Sports facilities
- Date
- 2014
- Type
- Article
- Identifier
- uj:5061
- Identifier
- ISBN 9781614994657
- Identifier
- ISBN 9781614994664
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13624
- Description
- Since its induction at the Astrodome, in 1965 synthetic turf has been improved and adapted to now be accepted as a playing surface for a variety of sports. These sports include Rugby, Soccer and Field hockey. As synthetic turf is most likely destined for outdoor use it will be subject to Ultra Violet (UV) degradation in the form of Ultra Violet light band A (UVA), Ultra Violet light band B (UVB) or a combination of both. Synthetic turf is a polymer based material, specifically polyethylene for this study. For this reason it is useful to investigate how polyethylene degrades due to UV. Absorbed UV causes a break in the intermolecular bonds of the polyethylene, which leads to cracking, inhibiting the material to perform as initially intended. Colour change is also a consequence of extended exposure to UV. Various UV stabilizers are used, by manufacturers, in order to slow this process down. These however are largely dependent on the type of UV being exposed. Natural UV testing of new materials is time consuming, thus accelerated weathering testers such as the QUV/spray machines are used to simulate artificial UV and accelerate this process. A correlation between natural and artificial UV is sometimes difficult to achieve. For this reason both natural and artificial UV exposures were performed in this study. Through these various exposures to the samples, it was possible to indeed confirm that UV degrades synthetic turf as well as the processes leading to it. It was also confirmed that the samples would meet the sporting standards set out by the Internaltional Rugby Board (IRB), Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and International Hockey Federation (FIH), for use as a playing surface. A correlation between natural and artificial UV in terms of colour change was achieved with UVA being found as thepredominant type of natural UV exposure in Johannesburg, during the winter months. Solutions were also provided to mitigate the degrading effects of UV on synthetic turf, these solutions would however need further investigation.
- Publisher
- IOS Press
- Rights
- © 2014, IOS Press
- Full Text
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