Synthetic turf fields were one of the major inventions of the 20th century, and now they are dominating the sports infrastructure sector with their efficiency and playability. Consistent, adaptable to weather changes, visually stunning, low-maintenance, and durable synthetic turf fields are designed to offer a better playing experience and comfort for players. Artificial turf fields have layers that offer support and keep the turf in place, and infill is one of the major layers of a synthetic turf field. In this article, we are going to discuss the significance, functions, and types of infills used in synthetic turf fields.

What is infill?

Synthetic turf field infill is anything that is filled between the artificial grass blades, and there can be many different types of infills. Rubber, TPE, and sand are all infill materials traditionally used in synthetic turf fields and today the list of different kinds of infills is growing, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The purpose of the turf, weather conditions, and general foot fall can all be parameters while selecting the right infill for your artificial turf field. Whether you are installing an artificial turf field or a lawn for your home, the infill is an irreplaceable part of a synthetic turf with artificial grass.

What does infill do in synthetic turf fields?

As we discussed above, infill is something filled between the artificial grass blades in a synthetic turf field; there are so many different types of infills, and it is an essential element in any kind of artificial grass field. But what does it actually do?

Stability: One of the major functions of infill in a synthetic turf field is that it provides stability for the field by keeping the grass fibres upright. Without the infill, the fibres can flatten and break easily, destroying the stability and playability of the field along with its full, lush appearance.

Prevents turf movements and rippling: Even though synthetic turf fields are exceptionally consistent with weather fluctuations, without infill, they can be displaced, bulge, and wrinkle, creating ridges and ripples as the weather changes from cold to hot. Infill weighs down the turf and prevents these kinds of tripping hazards.

Protects the turf backing and grass fibres: Synthetic turf fields often have heavy footfall, especially if they are sports fields, and without infill, the consistent pressure can damage the backing of the turf, which holds the grass blades in place. Infill acts as a barrier between the backing of the turf and the constant pressure created by regular footfall, protecting the grass blades and backing and enhancing the life span of the artificial turf field.

Temperature regulation and drainage: A functional drainage system is one of the most beneficial qualities of synthetic turf fields, and synthetic turf infills enhance the drainage system by regulating the water flow. It can also act as a temperature-regulating material that keeps the field cooler during hotter months.

Blocks unpleasant odours: One of the downsides of an artificial turf field is that it can sometimes retain unpleasant odours. Synthetic turfs with regular footfall will have sweat, spit, blood, etc., promoting bacterial growth, and home lawns with pets running around will also have this issue. But there are certain synthetic turf infills with antibacterial coatings that can block such bacterial growth and bad odours.

Types of synthetic turf infills

There are many types of synthetic turf infills, such as TPE, silica sand, rubber, cork, zeofill, hydrochill, and other organic infills, and they all have their own special qualities.

TPE: Thermoplastic elastomer infill, or TPE, is a popular infill choice for sports fields. However, one of the main drawbacks of TPE infill is that it can overheat the turf field, though there is an argument that certain coloured TPE infill absorbs less heat and keeps the turf cooler.

Silica sand: Silica sand infill is an economical choice, and it can effectively support the artificial grass blades to stand upright; however, the sand can get piled up over time, and it can also retain unpleasant odours, so if you are looking for infills on artificial grass surfaces with less footfall, such as rooftop gardens and other decorative lawns, silica sand infill is an ideal choice.

Crumb rubber infill: Crumb rubber infill is another economical choice, especially for sports fields, because it can create a bouncy, natural feel on the turf that enhances playability. Easy to install, rubber infill can also give a fuller appearance to artificial turf fields, but heat absorption and odour trapping are the downsides.

Zeofill: This is an infill type that can absorb ammonia gases in pet urine and only release them during cleaning or rainfall. So it is the perfect choice for pet lawns. It can also retain water, helping the turf field stay cooler for longer periods.

Hydrochill: Similar to Zeofill, hydrochill can keep the synthetic turf field a lot cooler because it can store water inside and release it when it’s hotter outside. This is an infill designed especially to cool down turf fields in warmer environments.

Conclusion

We discussed some of the synthetic turf infills above, and if you are planning to install a synthetic turf field, carefully consider the weather, location, and purpose of your synthetic turf field before selecting your ideal turf infill. Surekha Exports is one of India’s leading sports infrastructure builders, with almost two decades of experience in the field. We use artificial grass imported from premium turf grass manufacturers in India and internationally certified high-end products for our projects. With hundreds of projects across the country, we are specialists in football turf installation. If you are looking for a professional team of experts with technological excellence to bring your synthetic turf field to life, connect with us today!