Artificial turf with anti-slip agent reservoir for soccer or rugby

Abstract

An artificial turf fiber comprising a polymer material and an anti-slip agent disposed within the polymer, characterized in that the anti-slip agent has an effective rate of migration in the polymer material and is provided in the polymer material in an effective amount to provide effective reduction of the fiber friction coefficient on the surface of the fiber for at least one year, preferably for at least 2 years, more preferably for at least 5 years, and most preferably for at least 10 years.

1 . An artificial turf fiber for a soccer or rugby artificial turf, the fiber comprising a polymer material and an anti-slip agent incorporated/contained in the polymer, characterized in that the anti-slip agent has an effective rate of migration in the polymer material and is provided in the polymer material in an effective amount to provide effective reduction of the fiber friction coefficient on the surface of the fiber for at least one year, preferably for at least 2 years, more preferably for at least 5 years, and most preferably for at least 10 years. 
     
     
         2 . The artificial turf fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer material is selected from the group consisting of polyolefin homopolymers, polyolefin random copolymers, preferably polyethylene including low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and/or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The artificial turf fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer material is a mixture of LDPE and LLDPE, or a mixture of LLDPE and HDPE, wherein preferably the amount of LLDPE in the polymer material mixture is greater than the amount of the LDPE or the amount of HDPE. 
     
     
         4 . The artificial turf fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer material is a mixture of LDPE, and LLDPE, wherein the LLDPE is preferably from 10 to 70 wt % of the polymer material, more preferably from 15 to 50% wt %, and more preferably from 25 to 45% of the total amount of LDPE and LLDPE, wherein preferably the amount of LLDPE in the polymer material mixture is greater than the amount of the LDPE. 
     
     
         5 . The artificial turf fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer material is a mixture of HDPE and LLDPE, wherein the HDPE has a density of 0.952 to 0.957 g/cm 3  and is in an amount of 5.0 to 18 wt %, preferably 12 to 17 wt % of the total amount of HDPE and LLDPE. 
     
     
         6 . The artificial turf fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-slip agent is selected from the group consisting of fatty acid amides, and stearates. 
     
     
         7 . The artificial turf fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-slip agent is used in an amount of from 0.05 to 1.0 wt %, preferably in an amount of from to 0.7 wt %, and more preferably from 0.2 to 0.6 wt % based on the total weight of the fiber. 
     
     
         8 . The artificial turf fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-slip agent is erucic acid amide. 
     
     
         9 . The artificial turf fiber of  claim 1 , further comprising reflective particles and or reflective pigments for preventing overheating of the fiber. 
     
     
         10 . The artificial turf fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber is texturized with at least 30% of the part of the fiber length which extends above the infill material having at least one of curl, or wave shape for enhanced softness and coverage. 
     
     
         11 . An artificial turf comprising a plurality of the artificial turf fibers of  claim 1  securely attached to a backing material. 
     
     
         12 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers are texturized fibers, and wherein the density of the fibers is at least 60%, more preferentially at least 70% of the area covered by the artificial turf. 
     
     
         13 . The artificial turf of  claim 1 , wherein the backing includes a biocide agent which is a zinc-based antimicrobial agent or a metal coordination complex with pyrithione, preferably pyrithione zinc. 
     
     
         14 . The use of the artificial turf in a soccer field according to the FIFA standard for reducing ankle injuries. 
     
     
         15 . A soccer field playing surface for reducing ankle injuries, the soccer field comprising the artificial turf of  claim 12  according to the FIFA standard for reducing ankle injuries.