Abrasiveness was measured using ASTM F1015 method (ASTM 2000e). Friable foam blocks were attached to a weighted platform that was pulled over the playing surface in four directions (Fig 25 and 26). The weight of foam abraded away determines the relative abrasiveness of the surface. The friable foam blocks used as the test material were rigid closed-cell isocyanurate. An abrasiveness index is calculated by taking the weight loss for each set of four blocks in grams and dividing by 0.0606 as per ASTM F1015.

abrasion testing

Abrasion data is shown in Table 17. All infilled treatments were less abrasive than Astroturf. For treatments receiving wear, the abrasion index was lower in 2004 (Table 18) compared to 2003. This trend was not evident in the no-wear treatments. Grooming tended to lower the abrasiveness of the treatments. We continue to try to modify the abrasion testing method so we can produce data on natural turf.

Table 17. Abrasion index of ten synthetic turf products in 2003 prior to and after grooming.¹
Abrasion Index²
Treatment 7-Aug 30-Sep 31-Oct

¹Grooming of wear and no wear plots occurred on 9-10 Oct 2003.

²Abrasion index is determined by pulling foam blocks in a weighted sled across the plots in 4 directions and determining the loss (by weight) of the blocks. Abrasiveness index = [(starting block weight - final block weight)/6] *100.

³ 7 Aug testing performed after wear simulating 44 games. 30 Sep testing performed after wear simulating 88 games. 31 Oct testing performed after wear simulating 92 games.

No Wear
Astroplay 29.0 34.9 32.8
Astroturf 56.4 67.0 65.4
Experimental 35.5 44.0 42.1
Fieldturf 32.3 36.8 33.2
Geoturf 47.2 57.0 55.2
Nexturf 25.3 34.4 34.1
Omnigrass 41 31.6 35.7 35.7
Omnigrass 51 31.8 35.0 35.7
Softurf 32.2 38.5 37.6
Sprinturf 31.4 37.0 36.9
Wear³
Astroplay 35.4 44.3 40.0
Astroturf 59.1 68.6 61.9
Experimental 35.9 46.5 43.5
Fieldturf 32.7 42.5 38.9
Geoturf 46.0 56.8 53.4
Nexturf 32.6 38.2 33.9
Omnigrass 41 37.3 41.7 39.0
Omnigrass 51 38.6 41.3 38.1
Softurf 36.2 38.1 37.5
Sprinturf 34.6 41.6 41.5
LSD (p=0.05) 3.5 3.6 41.5
Table 18. Abrasion index of ten synthetic turf products in 2004 prior to and after grooming¹.
Abrasion Index²
Treatment 9 Jul 26 Aug

¹ Grooming of wear and no wear plots occurred on 4-5 Aug 2004.

² Abrasion index is determined by pulling foam blocks in a weighted sled across the plots in 4 directions and determining the loss (by weight) of the blocks. Abrasiveness index = [(starting block weight - final block weight)/6] *100.

³ 9 Jul testing performed after wear simulating 96 games. 26 Aug testing performed after grooming of all plots on 4-5 Aug.

No Wear
Astroplay 33.7 33.6
Astroturf 51.5 53.9
Experimental 41.1 38.1
Fieldturf 32.4 32.5
Geoturf 44.6 51.0
Nexturf 30.5 29.3
Omnigrass 41 37.7 35.1
Omnigrass 51 35/6 34.3
Sofsport 33.8 36.1
Sprinturf 38.9 38.6
Wear³
Astroplay 39.0 35.5
Astroturf 50.8 48.8
Experimental 38.8 35.1
Fieldturf 36.2 35.4
Geoturf 43.8 46.3
Nexturf 34.3 29.5
Omnigrass 41 37.7 32.4
Omnigrass 51 41.1 35.9
Sofsport 31.6 36.1
Sprinturf 40.1 37.2
LSD (p=0.05) 10.0 3.4

2005-2009 Data