Shock absorption is a decisive factor in the safety and user experience of non-infill artificial grass. This feature becomes especially critical in environments such as children’s playgrounds and sports fields, where adequate cushioning reduces the impact of falls and lowers the risk of joint injuries. A common concern from users is that “non-infill grass feels too hard underfoot,” but this challenge can be resolved through scientific approaches to fiber design, structural optimization, material selection, and precise installation techniques. Drawing on VivaTurf’s advanced practices, this article unpacks four actionable dimensions to enhance shock absorption and provides tailored solutions for various applications.
1. Fiber Design: Enhancing Cushioning at the Source
Fibers serve as the first line of defense for shock absorption. By optimizing the elasticity and structural form of the fibers, the cushioning effect can be achieved without relying on traditional infill granules.
High-Elastic Materials: Choosing resilient polymers such as modified PE blended with elastic masterbatches or TPE composites allows for elongation above 300% and rapid recovery after deformation. VivaTurf’s children’s series uses a PE+TPE composite fiber, delivering 25% higher shock absorption than standard PE fibers. Pure PP fibers, in contrast, are too rigid and unsuitable for impact-prone environments.
Optimized Curling Ratio and Density: Curled fibers increase deformation capacity. For playgrounds, a curl proportion of 40–50% with a density of 3–4 curls per centimeter ensures soft cushioning. Sports fields benefit from a 30–40% ratio with 2–3 curls per centimeter. VivaTurf’s high-resilience curled fibers at 3.5 curls/cm improve shock absorption by 20% compared to standard 2-curl fibers.
2. Structural Optimization: Multi-Layer Cushioning for Natural Turf-Like Comfort
A layered design mimics natural turf’s combination of grass blades and soil, significantly enhancing comfort and impact resistance.
Professional Shock Pads: Installing pads beneath the turf is the most direct way to boost shock absorption. For playgrounds, TPE pads of 10–15 mm achieve absorption rates of 60–65%. For sports, EPDM rubber pads of 8–12 mm balance durability with athletic performance. VivaTurf’s integrated turf+pad system achieves up to 62% absorption, far higher than turf alone.
Pile Height and Density Adjustments: Longer fibers provide softer cushioning, while density must be balanced to avoid surfaces that feel overly stiff or too loose. For children’s areas, 20–30 mm fibers with 50,000–60,000 tufts/m² create a soft but supportive surface. Sports fields benefit from medium-length fibers with slightly lower density for optimal ball performance and safety.
3. Supportive Materials: Backing and Adhesives for Long-Term Stability
Although adhesives and backings do not directly provide cushioning, they are vital in maintaining structural integrity, ensuring shock absorption remains consistent over time.
Elastic Adhesives: Solvent-free polyurethane adhesives with ≥300% elongation maintain flexibility at seams, preventing hard spots that could cause injuries. VivaTurf’s proprietary elastic glue ensures uniform absorption across the surface.
Flexible Backings: Composite backings made of PP woven cloth, nonwoven layers, and elastic hot-melt adhesives achieve elongation rates of ≥12–15%, enabling synchronized movement with fibers and pads. This flexibility improves overall cushioning by 10% compared to rigid single-layer PP backings.
4. Installation Techniques: Precision for Maximum Cushioning Performance
Improper installation can compromise shock absorption. Precision at every stage—base preparation, pad placement, and turf fixing—is essential.
Base Preparation: Cement or asphalt bases should be roughened to prevent pad slippage, while soil bases should include stone and sand layers to improve elasticity. VivaTurf recommends rebound testing during site inspection to ensure the base stiffness is within safe limits.
Pad Installation: Pads must be fully glued and rolled to eliminate voids. Edges should overlap by at least 5 cm for consistent support.
Turf Fixing: Turf should be allowed to relax for 24 hours before fixing to prevent overstretching, which reduces cushioning capacity. Proper spacing of anchors ensures the surface retains flexibility.
VivaTurf’s Tailored Shock Absorption Solutions
VivaTurf delivers scenario-specific, fully integrated solutions that combine material, structure, and installation techniques to meet diverse safety and performance needs.
Playground Systems: Modified PE+TPE fibers (45% curled) with 15 mm TPE pads achieve 62% absorption, ideal for kindergartens and amusement areas.
Sports Systems: High-resilience PE fibers (30% curled) with 10 mm EPDM pads reach 55% absorption, meeting FIFA Basic standards for football and basketball.
Landscape Systems: Standard PE fibers (25% curled) with 5 mm nonwoven pads provide 45% absorption, suitable for light-traffic decorative spaces.
Each installation undergoes professional impact absorption testing, ensuring compliance with safety benchmarks. Backings include anti-aging additives, guaranteeing performance degradation remains under 10% even after five years.
From Beijing playgrounds to Hangzhou football fields, VivaTurf’s customized non-infill grass solutions have earned praise for their soft feel and reliable cushioning. By leveraging design innovation and scientific installation, non-infill artificial grass achieves the dual goals of safety and comfort without relying on loose infill materials.