Artificial turf with anti-slip agent reservoir

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 comprising a polymer material and an anti-slip agent selected from the group consisting of fatty acid amides, and stearates 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 amount of from 0.05 to 1.0 wt % of the total weight of the fiber to provide a 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,
 wherein the polymer materials is selected from the group consisting of polyolefin homopolymers, and polyolefin random copolymers,   wherein the anti-slip agent is controlling the friction coefficient of the artificial turf fiber within a desired range in both wet and dry conditions, thus preventing excessive slippage of the players on the artificial turf surface in rain/wet conditions or too little slip in dry sunny conditions.   
     
     
         2 . The artificial turf fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer material is selected from the group consisting of 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 a fatty acid amide. 
     
     
         7 . The artificial turf fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-slip agent is used preferably in an amount of from 0.1 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 and wherein the polymer material comprises:
 LLDPE-C6: 80-84 wt %, in particular 81.75 wt %, with at least 85 wt % of the LLDPE-C6 being biobased,   HDPE: 8.0-12.0 wt %, in particular 10.0 wt %, with at least 90 wt % of the HDPE being biobased,   masterbatch 6-10 wt %, in particular 8 wt %,   process aid 0.1-0.5 wt %, in particular 0.25 wt %, and   the erucic acid amide in an amount of from 0.25 wt % to 0.5 wt %   wherein the masterbatch includes color pigments and a UV stabilizer.   
     
     
         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, and wherein the plurality of artificial turf fibers form closed loops extending above a top surface of the backing. 
     
     
         12 . The artificial turf of  claim 11 , 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 of  claim 1  in a hockey field, wherein watering of the hockey field is reduced substantially or becomes totally needless. 
     
     
         15 . A hockey field playing surface comprising the artificial turf of any  claim 11 , wherein watering of the hockey field is reduced substantially or becomes totally needless and is substantially free of microbial infestation for the useful life of the artificial turf.