The ultimate goal for our Matrix® Turf products is to guarantee quality and ensure safety aspects of your turf field. Both laboratory testing and on-site field-testing is carried out before and after products are put to use. But in addition to testing, the ultimate resilience and playability of a turf system is also dependent on the installation, weathering, usage, and maintenance of your field.
All new products and product improvements are based on research of athletic performance. We have been studying the NFL and their injury research, and have deployed the University of Virginia to do performance tests with our products, specifically to further research ACL, MCL, and upper ankle injuries. Product and performance information from customers and athletes weighs heavily into our product development.
The Lisport Test
The studded roll test, or Lisport Test, provides an indication of how a synthetic turf system will age over time as a result of typical usage by players on the field.
To avoid reoccurring impact on exactly the same places, the two rolls move with different speeds and, at the same time, the synthetic turf is moved slowly from left to right - wearing and tearing the turf!
The Lisport Test serves as a great indicator of the durability of turf blades in a specific turf design and is very useful in comparing different types of components and fiber durability.
The Lisport Test, or studded roll test, wears and tears the turf to indicate how a sports field can age over time.
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, it is commonly accepted as 8 years of usage.
Matrix Turf –Simulated wear results from the Lisport test.
5,000 Cycles
No decisive changes in appearance.
10,000 Cycles
No decisive changes in appearance.
15,000 Cycles
No decisive changes in appearance, light compacting.
20,000 Cycles
Very few light green fibers are splitting in a longitudinal direction in the axis of the fiber, splitting does not reach the top of the fiber; continuous compacting; no shortening of fibers; no abrasion.
25,000 Cycles
No decisive changes in appearance with regard to appearance after 20,000 cycles; more fibers show splitting (both light and dark green, in total still very few fibers; splitting does not reach the top of fiber.
30,000 Cycles
No decisive changes in appearance with regard to appearance after 25,000 cycles; increase of fibers showing splitting; some fibers split at the top of the fiber; continuous compacting.
35,000 Cycles
Increase of splitting of fibers with regard to appearance after 30,000 cycles; continuous compacting; no shortening of fibers, no abrasion.
40,000 Cycles
No decisive changes in appearance with regard to appearance after 35,000 cycles; continuous splitting, continuous compacting, no shortening of fibers, no abrasion.
45,000 Cycles
Further increase of splitting of fibers with regard to appearance after 40,000 cycles; continuous compacting; no shortening of fibers, no abrasion.
50,000 Cycles
Considerably large number of fibers are already split in the main wear –above the infill (some to the top of the fibers); further compacting and felting; no shortening of fibers.
55,000 Cycles
Further splitting, large number of fibers in the main wear area appear more and more fine due to the splitting in the axis of the fiber. Fine abrasion of fibers starting on the side of the fibers – the Listport-rollers show remains of fibers on the side due to electrostatic attraction, no obvious shortening of fibers.
60,000 Cycles
No decisive changes in appearance with regard to appearance after 55,000 cycles.
65,000 Cycles
Intensive wear-appearance, large number of fibers in the main wear-area show splitting, Lisport-rollers show a lot of small fiber particles; the outcome of the visual appearance of fibers show that these fiber-particles are from the source of splitting, and there is no shortening, high compacting in the load area and felting.
70,000 Cycles
No decisive change in appearance with regard to appearance after 65,000 cycles, intensive wear appearance concerning splitting, no obvious shortening of fibers.
75,000 Cycles
No decisive changes in appearance with regard to appearance after 70,000 cycles.
80,000 Cycles
Intensive wear-appearance in the load area, very large number of fibers in the main wear-area show splitting, no obvious shortening of fibers.
85,000 Cycles
No decisive changes in appearance with regard to appearance after 80,000 cycles.
90,000 Cycles
No decisive changes in appearance with regard to appearance after 85,000 cycles.
95,000 Cycles
No decisive changes in appearance with regard to appearance after 90,000 cycles.
100,000 Cycles
High compacting in the center area of load, major damage of the carpet fibers due to splitting, no obvious shortening of fibers, abrasion of fibers-parts mainly on the side of fibers (split parts); a high ratio of the light green and dark green fibers in direct contact with the Lisport-rollers show splitting-damage (around 80-90%) Fibers partly sheltered due to felting of the surface show lesser damage (total around 60%).
GMAX Test or Shock Absorbency Test
(ASTM F355 and ASTM F1936)
Today most synthetic and artificial turf fields are designed with a pad and infill to improve shock absorption and playability, but most importantly to prevent injuries when falling. Overtime fields can become harder due to wear and weathering, as well as displacement of the infill. Therefore a field should be G-max tested after installation and thereafter on a regular basis pending intensity of use.
A specialized hammer is dropped from a set height with an accelerometer that measures the rate that the hammer slows as it knocks the turf. The faster this hammer comes to a stop, the harder the field. The slowing of the hammer, or deceleration, is measured in gravities or G-max. This specialized test and equipment is designed to simulate the impact of a head on the turf field surface.
Gmax Test, or shock absorbency test, at Mansfield ISD’s RL Anderson Stadium.
Coefficient of Friction Test
(ASTM F1551)
This test offers an indication of the friction or traction between different cleats and the turf. Our tests are performed with both football and soccer cleats.
Abrasiveness Test
(ASTM F1015)
When you slide on the surface this test gives you an index of abrasiveness. A low abrasion but high traction is optimal for great performance.
Drainage Rate or Infiltrometer Test
(British Standard 7044:Section 4)
If your field experiences a 10-year storm you will know how many inches/hour your turf can handle from this test. However, it is also crucial to have the right drainage and pads underneath the turf for optional performance.
Turf Product and Fiber Testing
(ASTM5848-10e1)
Total Product Weight – Measures the total weight of the turf per square yard.
Pile Yarn Fiber Weight- Measures the weight of the fibers only per square yard.
Primary and Secondary Backing Weight –
Provides the weight for the combined materials used in the backing per square yard.
Average Pile Height
(ASTM D5823-05a)
A straightforward measurement: the length of the fiber from the base of the backing. As an analogy, this measures how long one’s hair is, or turf rather.
Tuft Bind Strength
(ASTM D1335-12)
The tuft bind is an important measurement since it gives you an answer to how much force is needed to pull out a fiber from the backing and tuft. Artificial turfs with low tuft bind will lose its fibers quickly after wear and tear. This test is measured in lbs./force it takes to pull out the turf fiber.
Grab Tear Strength
(ASTM D5034-09)
This test measure the total amount of force it would take to stretch and rip the turf - superior turf requires a lot of force. This test gives an indication of the quality of the materials used and the strength of the backing.
Stitch & Gauge Count
(ASTM D5793)
How tightly knitted is your turf? From this measurement you will find out how many stiches of fiber per inch is in the synthetic turf.
Fiber Breaking Strength and Fiber Elongation
(ASTM D2256)
This test measures the force it takes to break an individual fiber. An Instron apparatus is used and the fiber is pulled in two opposite directions.
Fiber breaking strength and fiber elongation testing on Matrix Turf.
Fiber Melt Point
(ASTM D7138-08)
A quality fiber has a higher melting point simply because it can handle heat better and not transform in higher temperatures. Looking closely at the temperature also provides an indication of the grade and quality of raw materials used in the manufacturing of the fiber.