What is the difference between no-infill and infill football grass

When users and project organizations are in the process of choosing artificial grass, they often find themselves in a state of confusion regarding whether to opt for traditional infill artificial grass or no-infill artificial grass. We will conduct a detailed analysis of the differences between no-infill and infill artificial grass from four key aspects: system structure, sports performance, cost, and environmental impact.

System Structure Comparison

No-infill artificial grass has a relatively simple composition. It mainly consists of grass fibres, which can be straight and curved, a bottom layer, and a bedding layer. This straightforward structure allows for a more streamlined installation process in some cases. In contrast, infill artificial grass contains additional components. Besides grass fibres, a bottom layer, and a bedding layer, it also has infill particles and quartz sand. These infill materials play a crucial role in maintaining the upright position of the grass fibres and enhancing the overall performance of the artificial turf in certain ways.

Sports Performance

Sports performance encompasses several important factors such as impact absorption, vertical deformation, ball roll, ball bounce, and field levelling.

Impact absorption is a vital characteristic as it determines the field's ability to cushion the force exerted by athletes. This is evaluated through mechanical imitation tests. In these tests, the running situation of athletes is simulated, and the changes in impact force are carefully recorded. A good impact absorption capacity can reduce the stress on athletes' joints and muscles during movement.

Vertical deformation assesses the extent of field deformation when an athlete runs. By mechanically mimicking the running action and recording the changes in the magnitude of field deformation, we can understand how well the field can adapt to the dynamic forces during sports activities.

Ball roll refers to the distance that a football rolls on the field surface. Since the surface of the field exerts resistance on the ball, we simulate the rolling of the football in a rolling frame to measure the distance it travels on the field, thus judging the resistance the field surface offers to the football.

Ball bounce measures the height to which a football rebounds when it falls onto the field. We use a ball bounce frame to let the football fall freely and simulate the actual rebound situation, thereby testing the field's rebound force.

Site flatness is determined by using a 3m level ruler to judge the smoothness of the surface of the artificial turf field after it has been filled with particles and quartz sand. A flat field is essential for ensuring fair play and the safety of athletes.

The main difference between no-infill and infill artificial grass in terms of sports performance is that as the frequency of use increases and the service life progresses, the infill particles in the infill - type field will gradually be lost. This loss leads to a more rapid decline in the above - mentioned sports performance test values compared to the non - infill artificial turf field. For example, the loss of infill particles may cause the grass fibres to become less upright, affecting the ball roll and bounce, and also lead to a decrease in the field's impact absorption ability.

Cost Comparison

During the construction process, the cost calculation for each type of artificial grass is distinct. The construction cost of a no - fill field is composed of the cost of no - fill artificial turf, the elastic layer, and labour. On the other hand, the infill field construction cost includes the cost of artificial turf, the elastic layer, labour, quartz sand, and particles. The addition of quartz sand and particles in the infill field significantly increases the initial construction cost.

In the post - maintenance process, the infill field requires regular maintenance, at least once a year. Each maintenance session involves combing the lawn to keep the grass fibres in good condition and replenishing the infill materials. In contrast, the no - fill field requires almost no maintenance. This lack of maintenance not only saves time but also reduces long - term costs associated with upkeep.

Environmental Impact

Now all products are facing the challenges of recyclability and environmental protection. Germany has taken the lead in implementing a law stating that before a product is put on the market, a recycling plan for when it reaches the end of its useful life must be submitted to the government. If there is no complete and reasonable recycling plan, the product is prohibited from being sold. This sets an example for the global community, indicating that in the future, not only Germany and Europe but the whole world will strive in this direction.

For artificial turf, achieving recyclability is a key issue. The first problem to be solved is the filler. For a standard - sized sports field, at least 200 tonnes of filler are required. When the venue reaches the end of its service life, the disposal and transportation of these 200 tonnes of filler pose a significant social contradiction. As the number of sports venues continues to increase day by day, this contradiction will become more and more prominent. Therefore, globally, no-infill artificial turf represents a future development trend and direction.

The mining process of quartz sand, which is used as infill in artificial turf, causes various forms of pollution such as noise, dust, and sewage. It also has a certain negative impact on the ecological environment. Over time, in filled sites, the filler will be displaced along with user activities into the surrounding environment, including the plastic runway. This not only affects the aesthetic appearance but also destroys the ecology. The odour emitted by poor - quality filler can also affect human health. Moreover, the loss of filler is likely to lead to a decline in site flatness and safety performance, endangering sports safety.

When the filler is old and needs to be dismantled, it cannot be recycled easily, and the disposal of the filler becomes a major problem. The dust generated during the dismantling process can cause excessive PM2.5 in the air, thus affecting the air quality in the neighbourhood.

As we can see, choosing a high-quality no-infill product not only saves costs and improves the user experience but also minimises the environmental impact.

Choosing a good non-infill football grass needs to meet the following requirements.

Environmentally friendly and safe.

Since no infill is required, it eliminates the problems associated with infill, such as rising system costs, construction difficulties, and potential health and safety issues.

Recyclable

After the site reaches the end of its service life, the lawn can be recycled as a whole. This breaks away from the traditional recycling methods of artificial turf, which often involve landfill or incineration, and truly realizes green, low-carbon, and environmentally friendly recyclable development.

Super sports performance

The surface of the non-infill football grass provides appropriate support and resistance. The system deformation amplitude is moderate, with a perfect shock absorption effect. The ball rolling performance is close to that of natural grass. While ensuring professional sports performance, it can effectively reduce the risk of sports injuries for players.

Long service life

Through breaking through technical difficulties and adopting a high - weight grass filament design with independent research and development, the no - fill football grass can achieve an ultra - long service life, providing long - term value for users.