Why Geo Turf: Heat Resistance |
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Our turf samples (right) alongside crumb-rubber systems (left) beneath the grid of heat lamps. |
Air temperature reads 100°F with 3% humidity. |
The ExperimentTo demonstrate the strong resistence to heat absoprtion of Geo Safe Play's turf system versus that of competitors, we used a grid of heat lamps to recreate an air temperature of a hot summer day (100°F and 3% relative humidity). Using an infrared thermometer, we were able to take precise measurements of our organic Infill Pro Geo and a typical crumb-rubber infill from a leading competitor, as well as sand as a controlled variable for comparison.
The crumb-rubber infill reads165°F. |
The InfillPro Geo stays cool at 95°F. |
ConclusionsClearly, the crumb-rubber infill absorbs an incredible amount of heat while the InfillPro Geo stays a full 5 degrees below air temperature. This experiment was on display at the NYSAAA Conference in Sarataga Springs, NY on March 18-19 where onlookers could see these results with no tricks, no data manipulation and no disputes. The sand yielded a teperature reading of 173°F. Sand was chosen as a material for comparison to give more tangible meaning to the temperature readings of the infill samples; many people are familiar with how painfully hot a sandy beach can become on a summer day, and therefore can understand what a disadvantage an athlete faces when playing on a turf field at nearly as high a temperature.
The Evaporation EffectBoth the performance quality and safety of Geo Safe Play synthetic turf are further maintained by the evaporative qualites of its organic infill. Humidity is absorbed and retained from rain and other sources of moisture (1), and as the moisture is drawn back into the air through evaporation and permeated into the ground through drainage (2), the temperature stays cool. This evaporative effects is similar to the process that cools the human body when sweat is evaporated from the skin.
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