Antimicrobial Polyurethane Backing for Durable Artificial Turf
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial turfs are prone to microbial contamination, which reduces their usable life and structural stability, particularly in polyurethane thermoset backing systems, where no practical solution exists for enhancing antimicrobial properties without compromising structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a biocide agent like zinc pyrithione into the polyurethane reaction mixture for the artificial turf's backing, combined with a chelating agent to control polymerization and ensure homogeneous coverage, forming an antimicrobial polyurethane backing that prevents microbial growth and maintains structural stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If antimicrobial agents are added to artificial turf components, then microbial contamination is reduced, but structural stability and pile pulling strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A polyurethane reaction mixture serves as an intermediary carrier that simultaneously provides structural backing and delivers antimicrobial protection. The mixture includes a polyol component, isocyanate component, and biocide agent (such as zinc pyrithione) that work together to create a unified backing layer that bonds fibers while preventing microbial growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The backing is formed as a composite material combining polyurethane polymer matrix with embedded biocide agents. This composite structure integrates the mechanical properties of polyurethane (strength, flexibility, adhesion) with the antimicrobial properties of the biocide agent, achieving both structural stability and microbial protection in a single integrated layer.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If biocide agent is added to polyurethane reaction mixture, then antimicrobial property is improved, but polymerization reaction may be retarded
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation adjusts key parameters including biocide concentration (0.1-5% by weight of polyol), polyol molecular weight (1000-10000 g/mol), and isocyanate to polyol ratio (0.8-1.2) to optimize both antimicrobial efficacy and polymerization speed. These parameter changes ensure the biocide provides sufficient microbial protection while the polymerization completes within acceptable timeframes for manufacturing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The antimicrobial polyurethane backing effectively prevents microbial buildup, extends the artificial turf's lifespan, and maintains structural integrity by ensuring a strong coupling between the backing and fibers, while controlling polymerization to avoid voids and bubbles.
Implementation Method 1
a biocide agent is added in the polyurethane reaction mixture... the artificial turf has antimicrobial property
Implementation Method 2
adding a viscous polyurethane reaction mixture onto a back side of the carrier to form a polyurethane backing... hardening of the polyurethane reaction mixture is performed
Implementation Method 3
combined with a chelating agent to control polymerization and ensure homogeneous coverage
Implementation Method 4
maintains structural integrity by ensuring a strong coupling between the backing and fibers
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an artificial turf (600) and the artificial turf obtained by this method, the method comprising:incorporating an artificial turf fiber on a carrier (104);adding a polyurethane reaction mixture on the back side of the carrier (106); andhardening polyurethane reaction mixture to form a polyurethane backing,characterized in that pyrithione zinc is added in the polyurethane reaction mixture to provide antimicrobial property to the polyurethane backing.