ASTM F1551-94

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 1551 – 94
Standard Test Methods for
Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Playing
Surfaces and Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1551; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D 1577 Test Methods for Linear Density of Textile Fibers
D 2256 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Yarns by the
1.1 These test methods establish a recommended list of test
Single-Strand Method
methods to be used for the identification of physical property
2.1.2 Fabric:
characteristics and comparison of the performance properties
D 418 Methods of Testing Pile Yarn Floor Covering Con-
of synthetic turf systems or components for athletic and
struction
recreational uses, or both.
D 1335 Test Method for Tuft Bind of Pile Floor Coverings
1.2 The test procedures included in these test methods apply
D 1682 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Elongation of
as a group to the description of synthetic turf playing surfaces.
Textile Fabrics
1.3 Some of the test procedures are specific for components
D 1776 Practice for Conditioning Textiles for Testing
of the synthetic turf system, and others apply to the complete
D 2859 Test Method for Flammability of Finished Textile
synthetic turf playing surface.
Floor Covering Materials
1.4 Some of the test procedures are suitable only for the
D 4158 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile
laboratory characterization of either components or the com-
Fabrics (Uniform Abrasion Method)
plete system; others are suitable for tests on installed sports
D 5251 Practice for the Operation of the Tetrapod Walker
fields; and some tests may be applied in both the laboratory and
Drum Tester
the field.
E 648 Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor
1.5 Reference to the methods for testing the synthetic turf
Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
playing surface and its components contained herein should
F 1015 Test Method for Relative Abrasiveness of Synthetic
state specifically the particular test or tests desired and not
Turf Playing Surfaces
necessarily refer to these test methods as a whole.
2.1.3 Shock Absorbing Cushion Underlayment:
1.6 This is a physical property characterization standard,
D 395 Test Methods for Rubber Property—Compression
and it shall not be construed as a safety standard.
Set
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
D 412 Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermo-
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
plastic Rubbers and Thermoplastic Elastomers—Tension
only.
D 624 Test Method for Tear Strength of Conventional
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D 1667 Specification for Flexible Cellular Materials—
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Vinyl Chloride Polymers and Copolymers (Closed-Cell
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Foam)
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
D 1876 Test Method for Peel Resistance of Adhesives
2. Referenced Documents (T-Peel Test)
D 2126 Test Method for Response of Rigid Cellular Plastics
2.1 ASTM Standards:
to Thermal and Humid Aging
2.1.1 Pile Fiber:
D 3574 Methods of Testing Flexible Cellular Materials—
D 789 Test Methods for Determination of Relative Viscos-
Slab, Bonded, and Molded Urethane Foams
ity, Melting Point, and Moisture Content of Polyamide
(PA)
D 792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
2 3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
Discontinued—See 1991 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.02.
1 6
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
Sports Equipment, Surfaces, and Facilitiesand are the direct responsibility of Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.07.
Subcommittee F08.65on Playing Surfaces and Facilities. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.01.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 1994. Published October 1994. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.06.
2 10
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
F 1551
D 3575 Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials Made ends, and individual fibers in the pile layer.
From Olefin Polymers 3.2.11.1 Discussion—Texture is the detailed appearance of
D 3936 Test Method for Delamination Strength of Second- the pile that changes by matting, crushing, flattening, fuzzing,
ary Backing of Pile Floor Covering untwisting, etc. during exposure to service. The texture should
F 355 Test Method for Shock-Absorbing Properties of Play- be distinguished from the construction, that is, the specifica-
ing Surface Systems and Materials tions of kinds of yarns, yarn sizes, and the mode of combina-
2.1.4 Turf Systems: tion.
D 1667 Specification for Flexible Cellular Materials— 3.2.12 water permeability—the rate at which water of a
Vinyl Chloride Polymers and Copolymers (Closed-Cell specified head flows vertically through synthetic turf or other
Foam) components of the system.
F 355 Test Method for Shock-Absorbing Properties of Play-
4. Summary of Test Methods
ing Surface Systems and Materials
4.1 The purpose of these test methods is to provide a
F 1015 Test Method for Relative Abrasiveness of Synthetic
comprehensive characterization of synthetic turf playing sur-
Turf Playing Surfaces
faces through reference to existing ASTM procedures.
2.2 Other Standards:
4.2 Specific conditions of the referenced ASTM procedures
2.2.1 Turf Systems:
are recommended to encourage uniform application of these
AT 030 Sports Shoe Traction
test methods.
DIN 18-035 Part 6—Water Permeability of Synthetic Turf
4.3 Table 1 contains a list of all the assigned suffix letters
Systems and Permeable Bases
that may be used for describing the system and components of
NOTE 1—AstroTurft Industries internal test procedures are suitable as
these test methods.
bases for new ASTM test methods as follows: (1) Water Permeability of
TABLE 1 Suffix Letter Designations: Performance Test Methods
Synthetic Turf (DIN 18-035, Part 6); and (2) Ball Bounce and Ball
for Synthetic Turf Surfaces
Rebound.
ASTM Test
3. Terminology
Test Method Pile Fiber Section
Method Suffix
3.1 Definitions—Terms are as defined in the referenced
D 789 melting point 9
ASTM procedures comprising these test methods.
D 792 density (specific gravity) 10
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
D 1577 A linear density of textile fibers (denier) 11
3.2.1 fabric construction—the method of assembly of pile
D 2256 A-1 breaking strength and elongation 12
ribbon and backing yarns that produces the fabric, usually
Fabric
tufting, knitting, or weaving.
D 418 pile fiber construction 13
3.2.2 lengthwise direction, n—in textiles, the direction in a
D 418 pile height 13
D 1335 resistance to tuft pullout 14
machine-made fabric parallel to the direction of movement the
D 1682 G-T grab tear strength 15
fabric followed in the manufacturing machine.
D 4158 abrasion resistance (uniform abrasion method) 16
3.2.3 matting—the extent of change of the apparent syn-
D 2859 flammability of pile floor covering (methenamine 17
tablet test)
thetic turf pile thickness from the original value due to
E 648 flammability of synthetic turf (flooring radiant panel 18
permanent compression of the pile from sports use.
test)
3.2.4 pile, n—for pile ribbon turf surfacing, the texture
F 1015 relative abrasiveness of synthetic turf surfaces 19
D 5251 resistance to matting (tetrapod method) 32
surface composed of many tuft legs bound to backing fabric in
Shock Absorbing Pad Component
an orderly and repetitive array.
3.2.5 pile lay—the direction in which most of the pile fibers
D 395 compression 20
set
lean in the original, uncrushed fabric.
under
3.2.6 secondary backing—a material adhered to the backing
constant
side of a pile turf fabric. load
D 624 Die C tear resistance 21
3.2.7 sports shoe traction—a measure of the static or sliding
D 1667 D compression resistance 22
coefficient of friction between a weighted sports shoe and the
D 1876 T-peel strength of secondary pad 23
turf pile surface, horizontal motion. D 2126 hydrolytic stability 24
D 3574 E tensile and elongation 25
3.2.8 sports shoe traction differential—a measure of differ-
D 3936 delamination strength of secondary backing 26
ence in sports shoe traction in two or more directions along the
F 355 shock absorbency of playing surface systems and 27
turf pile surface. materials
D 3575 L water absorption (% weight gain) 28
3.2.9 synthetic turf system—(all except bases and sub-
Turf Systems
bases) includes turf fabric, with attached or detached under
cushion. F 1015 relative abrasiveness of synthetic turf surfaces 19
D 1667 D compression resistance (modified method) 22
3.2.10 synthetic turf system components—the separate com-
F 355 A shock absorbency of playing surface systems and 27
ponents such as turf fabric, shock-absorbing pad, and adhesives
materials
that comprise the synthetic turf playing surface when as- MTP-0030 sports shoe traction and traction differential 29
(coefficient of friction)
sembled; the subcomponents such as pile ribbon and backing
DIN 18-035 water permeability of synthetic turf system 30
yarns that comprise the turf fabric.
ball bounce—ball rebound 31
3.2.11 texture—the detailed configuration of loops, cut pile
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
F 1551
5. Significance and Use 9.2 Test Method Specific Conditions:
9.2.1 A temperature rise of 2°C/min with the Fisher-Johns
5.1 These test methods constitute a standard for obtaining
melting point apparatus is recommended.
data in research and development, quality control, acceptance
9.2.2 Acceptable alternatives for the measurement of melt-
and rejection under specifications, and for special purposes.
ing point are the use of differential thermal analysis (DTA) or
5.2 The data obtained from use of these test methods are
differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) instruments. Follow
applicable to the system and its components under conditions
Test Methods D 789 where applicable. Report the temperature
of the particular test procedures and are not necessarily the
rise and other pertinent experimental conditions used with
same as the data that might be obtained in other environments
DTA or DSC.
or use conditions.
5.3 The selection of test methods or tests should be limited
10. Suffix W—Test Method 792, Specific Gravity
to those necessary to achieve design of the system.
(Relative Density) and Density of Plastics by
Displacement
6. Conditioning of Materials
10.1 Scope:
6.1 Conduct laboratory tests under known conditions of
10.1.1 This test procedure describes measurement of the
temperature and humidity as specified in the individual test
specific gravity of fibers and filaments.
procedures. In the absence of specified conditions, tests must
10.1.2 This test is appropriate and applicable to the pile
be conducted under the standard laboratory conditions of 23 6
ribbon component of synthetic turf fabrics before the product is
2°C (73.4 6 3°F) and 65 6 5 % relative humidity. Materials
made.
must be conditioned, undeflected, and undistorted at the
temperature and humidity of test for at least 24 h prior to
11. Suffix W—Test Methods D 1577, Linear Density of
testing.
Textile Fibers
6.2 Conduct field tests on installed, indoor or outdoor
11.1 Scope:
synthetic turf playing surfaces at ambient temperature and
11.1.1 This test procedure describes measurement of the
humidity conditions. Measure and record the temperature of
linear density (denier, tex) of textile fibers and filaments.
the synthetic turf surface, shock-absorbing pad, or other
11.1.2 The test is appropriate and applicable to the pile
specific components being characterized by the particular test.
ribbon component of synthetic turf fabrics before the product is
7. Sampling made.
11.2 Test Method Specific Conditions:
7.1 For laboratory tests, select representative samples of
11.2.1 Test Method A—The direct weighing method is
components, in accordance with specific sampling instructions
recommended.
of the test procedure, when provided.
11.2.2 The linear density of finish-free fiber is the recom-
7.2 For field tests, specify locations on the synthetic turf
mended measurement; see 12.1 of Test Methods D 1577.
playing surface where tests are conducted.
12. Suffix T—Test Method D 2256, Tensile Properties of
8. Application of Test Procedures
Yarns by the Single-Strand Method
8.1 References to the ASTM test procedures stated in
12.1 Scope:
Section 9 are to be followed with regard to the apparatus,
12.1.1 This test procedure describes measurement of the
preparation of specimens, procedures, calculations, and report-
tensile properties strength, elongation, and (optionally) modu-
ing of results, except when different conditions are noted
lus for textile fibers and filaments.
specifically in these test methods.
12.1.2 The test is appropriate and applicable to the pile
8.2 Precision and bias statements are given for each test
ribbon component of synthetic turf fabrics before the product is
procedure in the respective test methods.
made.
8.3 Specific conditions of the referenced ASTM test proce-
12.2 Test Method Specific Conditions:
dures are recommended in each case, except where specified in
12.2.1 Option A1, standard-conditioned, straight fiber or
these test methods.
filament is recommended.
TEST PROCEDURES 12.2.2 Horn grip clamps are recommended.
12.2.3 The recommended gage length is 15.2 cm (6 in.).
9. Suffix A—Test Methods D 789, Determination of
12.2.4 The recommended cross-head speed is 25.4 cm/min
Relative Viscosity, Melting Point, and Moisture
(10 in./min).
Content of Polyamide (PA)
12.2.5 The tangent method is recommended if the modulus
9.1 Scope:
is calculated (Appendix, Test Method D 2256).
9.1.1 These test methods describe several techniques for the 12.2.6 The measurement of strength and elongation may be
characteriza
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