Artificial turf and production method

Abstract

The invention provides for a method of manufacturing artificial turf (1000). The method comprising the steps of: creating (100) a polymer mixture (100, 400, 500), wherein the polymer mixture is at least a three-phase system, wherein the polymer mixture comprises a first polymer (402), a second polymer (404), and a compatibiiizer (406), wherein the first polymer and the second polymer are immiscible, wherein the first polymer forms polymer beads (408) surrounded by the compatibiiizer within the second polymer; extruding (102) the polymer mixture into a monofilament (606); quenching (104) the monofilament; reheating (106) the monofilament; stretching (108) the reheated monofilament to deform the polymer beads into threadlike regions (800) and to form the monofilament into an artificial turf fiber (1004); incorporating (110) the artificial turf fiber into an artificial turf carpet (1002).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to artificial turf and the production of artificial turf which is also referred to as synthetic turf. The invention further relates to the production of fibers that imitate grass, and in particular a product and a production method for artificial turf fibers based on polymer blends and of the artificial turf carpets made from these artificial turf fibers.BACKGROUND AND RELATED ART[0002]Artificial turf or artificial grass is surface that is made up of fibers which is used to replace grass. The structure of the artificial turf is designed such that the artificial turf has an appearance which resembles grass. Typically artificial turf is used as a surface for sports such as soccer, American football, rugby, tennis, golf, for playing fields, or exercise fields. Furthermore artificial turf is frequently used for landscaping applications.[0003]An advantage of using artificial turf is that it eliminates the need to care for a grass playing ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]Embodiments may have the advantage that the second polymer and any immiscible polymers may not delaminate from each other. The thread-like regions are embedded within the second polymer. It is therefore impossible for them to delaminate. The use of the first polymer and the second polymer enables the properties of the artificial turf fiber to be tailored. For instance a softer plastic may be used for the second polymer to give the artificial turf a more natural grass-like and softer feel. A more rigid plastic may be used for the first polymer or other immiscible polymers to give the artificial turf more resilience and stability and the ability to spring back after being stepped or pressed down.

[0016]A further advantage may possibly be that the thread-like regions are concentrated in a central region of the monofilament during the extrusion process. This leads to a concentration of the more rigid material in the center of the monofilament and a larger amount of softer plastic on the exterior or outer region of the monofilament. This may further lead to an artificial turf fiber with more grass-like properties.

[0017]A further advantag

Problems solved by technology

Watering can be e.g. difficult due to regional restrictions for water usage.

In other climatic zones the re-growing of grass and re-formation of a closed grass

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