SEBS Infill for Artificial Turf Temperature and UV Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recycled rubber infill materials in artificial turf systems suffer from high temperatures during sunny weather, causing discomfort for athletes and pose an environmental risk due to leaching of aromatic and heavy metals.
Innovation Solution
Vulcanised thermoplastic elastomer or styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene polymer (SEBS) is used as infill material, offering reduced temperature, improved UV stability, and lower environmental risk, with the option to produce colored particles that reduce friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If recycled rubber from tyres is used as infill material, then cost-effectiveness and availability are improved, but temperature increases and environmental safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the infill material by using vulcanised thermoplastic elastomers and SEBS polymers instead of recycled tyre rubber. These materials have different thermal and environmental properties, achieving lower temperatures and reduced leaching while maintaining infill functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material solutions by formulating infill materials from specific polymer compositions (vulcanised thermoplastic elastomers with polyolefin/rubber combinations and SEBS polymers). These composite structures provide improved environmental safety and thermal properties compared to conventional recycled rubber.
2Ease of manufacture
If recycled rubber from tyres is used as infill material, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but temperature increases causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters by selecting polymer materials with inherently lower heat absorption and better heat dissipation characteristics. The vulcanised thermoplastic elastomer and SEBS formulations exhibit different thermal conductivity and heat capacity properties that reduce temperature buildup under solar exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies color changes as a thermal management strategy by offering infill materials in beige, green, or brown colors instead of conventional black. Lighter colors reflect more solar radiation, reducing heat absorption and resulting temperatures that are 20°C lower under hot summer conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If recycled rubber from tyres is used as infill material, then availability is improved, but UV stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite polymer materials specifically formulated with UV resistance. The vulcanised thermoplastic elastomer combines polyolefin and vulcanised rubber, while SEBS provides inherent UV stability, creating infill materials that maintain their properties under prolonged solar exposure unlike recycled tyre rubber.
4Shape
If black coloured rubber infill material is used, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but temperature increases causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directly addresses this contradiction by changing the color parameter from black to lighter alternatives (beige, green, brown). This color modification reduces solar radiation absorption, resulting in temperatures that are 20°C lower during hot weather while still providing acceptable aesthetic appearance for sports fields.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the use of a vulcanised thermoplastic elastomer or styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene polymer (SEBS) as infill material in artificial turf systems. Artificial turf has achieved growing popularity in recent years, particularly for football fields. The vulcanised thermoplastic elastomer comprises a polyolefin and a rubber wherein the rubber is dynamically vulcanised by the use of a curing agent. The polyolefin is chosen from polyethylene or polypropylene and the rubber is chosen from EPDM or EPM. The rubber is dynamically vulcanised by a curing agent chosen from sulfur, sulfurous compounds, metal oxides, maleimides, phenol resins, silanes or peroxides.