AstroTurf

• AstroTurf is a synthetic grass primarily used in large scale sporting applications like football or baseball fields. The grass is applied much like carpet. Individual nylon or polypropylene fibers are attached to a backing. This forms a carpet of turf that can be laid down in a stadium like household carpet might be laid in a living room. Different types of padding are installed under the AstroTurf as cushioning and support, depending on the particular application.
  
  

History

• The first artificial turf was created and patented in 1965. It was created as a result of the Ford Foundation's effort to create an artificial playing surface for urban children. Before a patent was received, ChemGrass had already been installed in the new Houston Astrodome. It's name was changed to AstroTurf and it was patented in 1967. Today AstroTurf is well known and widely used. And though intended for large scale sports applications, versions of AstroTurf are also available for home consumers.
  
  

Benefits

• One of the obvious benefits of any artificial turf is that it requires less maintenance than actual grass. Artificial turf doesn't require watering, mowing or sunlight. This makes it ideal for indoor applications. It provides a playing surface that doesn't get muddy or rutted. AsroTurf is also considered to be a faster surface than real grass, so players may actually be quicker on AstroTurf.
  
  

Downfalls

• Contact injuries can be lessened on AstroTurf because padding can make the surface softer than natural grass. But AstroTurf is more abrasive than grass, so cuts and abrasions to the skin are common, though Textile Management Associates, the makers of AstroTurf have worked to make the turf fibers less abrasive. Another common injury is "turf toe." This happens when the big toe bends dramatically upward. The injury is uncommon on natural grass because Astro Turf provides much more traction. A player's toe grips to the artificial turf while his body weight pushes the rest of the foot forward. In grass, a player could more easily lose his footing and fall, but avoid turf toe. A study in New York suggests that field temperatures on artificial turf become much higher than natural grass temperatures.
  
  

Alternatives

• AstroTurf was the first artificial grass, but other brands are marketed today. FieldTurf is AstroTurf's major competitor, having its surface installed in multiple college and professional sports fields. Other brands like Evolution Grass and Pregra target private and home applications.