10mm LDPE Shock Pad for Artificial Turf

Key Features & Benefits

• Dual-tested shock absorption values of 34.7% and 27.6% per EN 14808 provide documented compliance data for sports field procurement specifications that require a shock absorption threshold within a defined range: FIFA Quality Programme and equivalent national turf standards typically specify shock absorption within a range bracket (e.g., 55–70% for the combined turf+underlay system); the LDPE shock pad's contribution to the system total should be confirmed against the applicable system performance range with the turf manufacturer.
• Seepage rate of 72,000mm/h per EN 12616, consistent across both performance data sets, confirms full-field drainage capacity well above the thresholds required for play continuity on precipitation-exposed outdoor sports surfaces: At 72,000mm/h, the LDPE shock pad's drainage capacity exceeds the drainage requirements of all major sports turf performance standards currently in use, ensuring the underlay does not become a drainage bottleneck in any standard turf system design.
• Closed-cell LDPE structure is inherently non-absorbent and impermeable, permanently eliminating the waterlogging and structural degradation risk associated with open-cell foam underlays: Unlike open-cell polyurethane shock pads that progressively absorb water over time and lose structural performance as their cell walls deteriorate, the closed-cell LDPE structure retains its dimensional and mechanical properties indefinitely because water cannot enter the cell matrix.
• Lateral pulling force of 1.41 MPa and vertical pulling force of 4.55 MPa (EN 12230, Set 1) confirm the underlay's resistance to shear separation under the differential forces generated by turf installation tension and player loading: These pulling force values document the underlay's structural cohesion against the mechanical forces that cause delamination and migration in lower-specification underlay products installed beneath synthetic turf systems on slopes or under high lateral-load sports activity.
• Eco-friendly, non-toxic, odorless, and formaldehyde-free material profile directly addresses the environmental and indoor air quality requirements of school sports facility and community venue procurement standards: The confirmed absence of toxic compounds, odor, and formaldehyde positions this LDPE shock pad as a specification-compliant option for indoor or enclosed synthetic turf installations where occupant air quality standards and material safety documentation are required by the facility operator or local authority.
• Recyclable lightweight LDPE construction supports end-of-life material recovery and reduces turf system lifecycle waste: LDPE is among the most widely recycled plastics in established recycling streams; shock pad material removed at end of synthetic turf system service life can be recovered and reprocessed, supporting sports facility operators and municipal procurement teams in meeting institutional sustainability or waste reduction targets.

Applications

1. Football field synthetic turf underlay: Installed as the primary shock-absorbing subsurface layer beneath artificial turf on FIFA-standard and recreational football fields, contributing to the system's total shock absorption and vertical deformation performance as assessed under the FIFA Quality Programme.
2. Rugby field synthetic turf underlay specification: Deployed beneath synthetic turf on rugby field installations where the World Rugby synthetic turf performance standard requires documented shock absorption contribution from the underlay layer at the applicable hardness and deformation thresholds.
3. Golf course artificial turf subbase underlay: Used beneath synthetic turf on golf course fairway, tee, and approach areas where a waterproof, dimensionally stable underlay is required to provide a consistent subsurface and prevent moisture migration into the turf backing.
4. Softball and multi-sport field turf underlay: Installed beneath synthetic turf on softball course and multi-sport field surfaces where waterproofing, drainage performance, and shock absorption are concurrent specification requirements across multiple sport use contexts.
5. Indoor synthetic turf facility underlay: Specified as the subsurface shock absorbing mat beneath indoor artificial turf installations at sports centers, training facilities, and school gymnasiums where the non-toxic, odorless, and formaldehyde-free material profile is required for enclosed space installation compliance.

FAQ

Q1: How does the 72,000mm/h seepage rate per EN 12616 prevent water accumulation on synthetic turf sports fields?

The EN 12616 seepage rate measures the rate at which water passes vertically through the combined synthetic turf and underlay assembly under a standard head of water, expressed in mm/h. At 72,000mm/h, the LDPE shock pad passes water through at a rate approximately equivalent to 72 meters of rainfall per hour — several orders of magnitude above the highest recorded precipitation intensity in any climate zone globally, and well above the minimum drainage thresholds specified in FIFA, World Rugby, and equivalent national synthetic turf standards. This means the LDPE shock pad will not become a drainage bottleneck in any standard turf system design, regardless of the installed turf's drainage characteristics: water that passes through the turf pile and backing reaches and passes through the shock pad immediately, preventing accumulation at the turf-underlay interface that would create subsurface waterlogging and surface ponding under sustained rainfall. The seepage rate value is consistent across both performance data sets, confirming that this drainage performance is a structural property of the closed-cell LDPE material rather than a grade-dependent variable.

Q2: How does the closed-cell structure prevent water absorption and preserve the underlay's mechanical properties over the turf system's service life?

Open-cell foam materials — including polyurethane shock pads commonly used in synthetic turf systems — have a cellular structure in which the cell walls contain openings that allow water and other fluids to enter and be retained within the material matrix. Over time, trapped water degrades the cell walls through hydrolysis, freeze-thaw cycling, and biological activity, progressively reducing the foam's elastic recovery and shock absorption capacity. The closed-cell LDPE structure contains cells whose walls are fully sealed, forming discrete gas-filled chambers that physically prevent water from entering the material under any pressure or immersion condition. The material therefore cannot absorb water, does not retain moisture, and does not experience the progressive performance degradation associated with water infiltration — meaning the shock absorption and pulling force values measured in the EN tests are maintained throughout the installation's service life under field conditions rather than declining over time. This is the structural basis for the waterproof, moisture-proof, and non-absorbent designations confirmed in the product profile.

Q3: How should procurement teams interpret the two EN-tested performance data sets when specifying this shock pad for a football or rugby field?

Two complete performance data sets are provided, each measured under the same EN test standards (EN 14808, EN 14809, EN 12616, EN 12230) but producing different numerical results — most notably in shock absorption (34.7% vs. 27.6%) and pulling forces (lateral 1.41 vs. 0.33 MPa; vertical 4.55 vs. 2.22 MPa). Buyers should not average these values or treat them as a range for specification purposes; instead, they should confirm with the supplier which specific product grade, density, or production variant corresponds to each data set, and then select the appropriate grade based on their project's applicable performance standard. For FIFA Quality Programme certification, the combined turf+underlay system must achieve shock absorption within the standard's specified range when tested as an assembly; the shock pad grade selected will directly affect the system's total shock absorption result. The seepage rate of 72,000mm/h is identical in both sets, confirming that drainage performance is not affected by the grade distinction. Buyers should request the supplier's grade specification sheet — [Insert Product Grade Specification if Available] — to match each data set to its corresponding product formulation before finalising procurement.

Q4: What documentation is required to confirm the non-toxic, eco-friendly, and formaldehyde-free material profile for sports facility and school installation procurement?

The LDPE shock pad is confirmed as eco-friendly, non-toxic, odorless, and formaldehyde-free — material characteristics that are relevant for procurement programs subject to occupant health, indoor air quality, or environmental sustainability requirements. For indoor sports facility and school gymnasium installations in particular, local building regulations or institutional procurement policies may require formal material safety documentation confirming the absence of toxic compounds, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or regulated substances. Buyers should request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS) and, where required, a third-party VOC emission test report or formaldehyde-specific test certificate from the supplier — [Insert Chemical Safety Certification if Available] — to satisfy their institution's or local authority's material compliance requirements. For school or public facility projects subject to green building certification (e.g., LEED, BREEAM, or Chinese Green Building Standard), the LDPE shock pad's recyclability and non-toxic profile may contribute to materials credits, but formal documentation of material composition, recycled content, and recyclability must be obtained from the supplier for submission to the certifying body.