ASTM F1551-23

Standard Test Methods for Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces and Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 These test methods constitute a standard for obtaining data in research and development, quality control, acceptance and rejection under specifications, and for special purposes.  
5.2 The data obtained from use of these test methods are applicable to the system and its components under conditions of the particular test procedures and are not necessarily the same as the data that might be obtained in other environments or use conditions.  
5.3 The selection of test methods or tests should be limited to those appropriate to the system or material(s) being evaluated.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods establish a recommended list from which suitable test methods shall be selected for the identification of physical property characteristics and comparison of the performance properties of synthetic turf systems or components for athletic and recreational uses, or both.  
1.2 Some of the test procedures are suitable only for the laboratory characterization of either components or the complete system; others are suitable for tests on installed sports fields; and some tests may be applied in both the laboratory and the field.  
1.3 The test procedures included in these test methods apply as a group to the description of synthetic turf playing surfaces.  
1.4 Test methods outlined herein cover system components as well as fully assembled synthetic turf systems. Most of the methods measure material and performance properties of turf components. Component properties are not intended to represent the performance of a fully assembled turf system. Component results provide data for quality control, specification compliance, and component performance used in product design.  
1.5 Reference to the methods for testing the synthetic turf playing surface and its components contained herein should state specifically the particular test or tests desired and not refer to this list of test methods as a whole.  
1.6 Several new standards have been added since the last revision of this standard. Other standards, for which more appropriate standards exist, have been removed from this standard. A list of the standards that have been removed and their replacements are listed in Table X1.1 in Appendix X1.  
1.7 This is a physical property characterization standard, and it shall not be construed as a safety standard.  
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.10 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2023
• ICS: 97.220.10 - Sports facilities
• Technical Committee: F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F08.65 - Artificial Turf Surfaces and Systems

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1551-09(2017) - Standard Test Methods for Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Playing Surfaces and Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Referred By: ASTM F2898-11(2019) - Standard Test Method for Permeability of Synthetic Turf Sports Field Base Stone and Surface System by Non-confined Area Flood Test Method
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Referred By: ASTM F3383-19a - Standard Test Method for Filament Bind of Single Fibers in Synthetic Turf
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Referred By: ASTM F1936-19 - Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Turf Playing Systems as Measured in the Field
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1551 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Test Methods for
Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Playing
1
Surfaces and Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1551; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 These test methods establish a recommended list from
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
which suitable test methods shall be selected for the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
identification of physical property characteristics and compari-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
son of the performance properties of synthetic turf systems or
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
components for athletic and recreational uses, or both.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2 Some of the test procedures are suitable only for the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
laboratory characterization of either components or the com-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
plete system; others are suitable for tests on installed sports
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
fields; and some tests may be applied in both the laboratory and
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
the field.
1.3 The test procedures included in these test methods apply
2. Referenced Documents
as a group to the description of synthetic turf playing surfaces.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.4 Test methods outlined herein cover system components
C136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
as well as fully assembled synthetic turf systems. Most of the
Aggregates
methods measure material and performance properties of turf
D412 Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplas-
components. Component properties are not intended to repre-
tic Elastomers—Tension
sent the performance of a fully assembled turf system. Com-
D696 Test Method for Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expan-
ponent results provide data for quality control, specification
sion of Plastics Between −30°C and 30°C with a Vitreous
compliance, and component performance used in product
Silica Dilatometer
design.
D1335 Test Method for Tuft Bind of Pile Yarn Floor
1.5 Reference to the methods for testing the synthetic turf
Coverings
playing surface and its components contained herein should D1577 Test Methods for Linear Density of Textile Fibers
state specifically the particular test or tests desired and not refer
D1895 Test Methods for Apparent Density, Bulk Factor, and
to this list of test methods as a whole. Pourability of Plastic Materials
D1907 Test Method for Linear Density of Yarn (Yarn Num-
1.6 Several new standards have been added since the last
ber) by the Skein Method
revision of this standard. Other standards, for which more
D2256 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Yarns by the
appropriate standards exist, have been removed from this
Single-Strand Method
standard. A list of the standards that have been removed and
D2616 Test Method for Evaluation of Visual Color Differ-
their replacements are listed in Table X1.1 in Appendix X1.
ence With a Gray Scale
1.7 This is a physical property characterization standard,
D2859 Test Method for Ignition Characteristics of Finished
and it shall not be construed as a safety standard.
Textile Floor Covering Materials
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
D3218 Specification for Polyolefin Monofilaments
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
D3575 Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials Made
only.
from Olefin Polymers
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on
Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and are the direct responsibility
2
of Subcommittee F08.65 on Artificial Turf Surfaces and Systems. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2023. Published March 2024. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as F1551 – 09 (2017). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/F1551-23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM Inte
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F1551 − 09 (Reapproved 2017) F1551 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Test Methods for
Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Playing
1
Surfaces and Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1551; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods establish a recommended list from which suitable test methods shall be selected for the
identificationidentification of physical property characteristics and comparison of the performance properties of synthetic turf
systems or components for athletic and recreational uses, or both.
1.2 Some of the test procedures are suitable only for the laboratory characterization of either components or the complete system;
others are suitable for tests on installed sports fields;fields; and some tests may be applied in both the laboratory and the field.field.
1.3 The test procedures included in these test methods apply as a group to the description of synthetic turf playing surfaces.
1.4 Some of the test procedures are specific for components of the synthetic turf system, and others apply to the complete synthetic
turf playing surface.Test methods outlined herein cover system components as well as fully assembled synthetic turf systems. Most
of the methods measure material and performance properties of turf components. Component properties are not intended to
represent the performance of a fully assembled turf system. Component results provide data for quality control, specification
compliance, and component performance used in product design.
1.5 Reference to the methods for testing the synthetic turf playing surface and its components contained herein should state
specificallyspecifically the particular test or tests desired and not necessarily refer to these this list of test methods as a whole.
1.6 Several new standards have been added since the last revision of this standard. Other standards, for which more appropriate
standards exist, have been removed from this standard. A list of the standards that have been removed and their replacements are
listed in Table X1.1 in Appendix X1.
1.7 This is a physical property characterization standard, and it shall not be construed as a safety standard.
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and are the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F08.65 on Artificial Turf Surfaces and Systems.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2017Sept. 1, 2023. Published December 2017March 2024. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20092017
as F1551 – 09.F1551 – 09 (2017). DOI: 10.1520/F1551-09R17.10.1520/F1551-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F1551 − 23
1.10 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates 2.1.1 Pile Fiber:
D792D412 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by DisplacementVulcanized Rubber
and Thermoplastic Elastomers—Tension
D696 Test Method for Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion of Plastics Between −30°C and 30°C with a Vitreous Silica
Dilatometer
D1335 Test Method for Tuft Bind of Pile Yarn Floor Coverings
D1577 Test Methods for Linear Density of Textile Fibers
D1895 Test Methods for Apparent Density, Bulk Factor, and Pourability of Plastic Materials
D1907 Test Method for Linear Density of Yarn (
...