FIFA Quality Concept Project

Laboratory Tests

1. Identification Tests

The purpose of the identification tests is to ensure that the system installed matches the product tested in the laboratory.

Characteristic	Surface or Component	Test Method
Mass per unit area	Synthetic Turf	ISO 18543
Tufts per unit area	Synthetic Turf	ISO 1763
Pile Weight	Synthetic Turf	ISO 2549
Tuft Withdrawal Force	Synthetic Turf	ISO 4919
Mass per unit area	Shockpad (if present)	EN 430
Compressive Modulus	Shockpad (if present)	ISO 604
Particle Size	Sand or Rubber	EN 933-1 and 933-2
Particle Shape	Sand or Rubber	EN 933-1 and 933-2
Bulk Density	Sand or Rubber	EN
Fibre Identification	Synthetic Turf Yarns	DSC

2. Durability

Durability testing consists of abrasion resistance and joint strength. The surface is artificially abraded (equivalent to five years of wear) and retested according to selected performance tests. Additionally, joint strength testing measures the maximum force needed to destroy the joints where they are sewn or joined with adhesive. The product should be expected to last a reasonable amount of time and still meet the performance characteristics.

Characteristic	Test Method	Requirements
Abrasion Resistance	EN 13672	Remains within the limits: Shock Absorbency Vertical Deformation Ball Rebound Traction Angled Ball Behavior
Joint Strength	EN 12228	> 15 N/mm

3. Climatic Resistance

The product is placed in an artificial weathering machine and is subjected to a combination of UV radiation, water and heat. Three months in such a machine is equivalent to 5 years of exposure outdoors. The surface installed should be expected to survive the local environmental conditions and still meet the performance requirements.

Characteristic	Test Method	Requirements
Climatic Resistance	EN 13864	Colour Fastness Abrasion Resistance Joint Strength

4. Player / Surface Interaction Tests

The characteristics of a surface that a football player needs to play the game fall into several categories. The testing for player/surface interaction consists of shock absorbency, vertical deformation, slip resistance, traction and sliding distance. The criteria were based on the performance characteristics of natural grass. The requirements are as follows:

Characteristic	Test Method	Requirements
Shock Absorbency	EN	55 - 70%
Vertical Deformation	EN - Low Impact "Stuttgart Athlete"	4 mm - 9 mm
	EN - High Impact "Sports Floor Tester"	7 mm - 15 mm
Slip Resistance	NSF modified Le Roux	0.6 - 1.0 ľ
Traction	EN	25 -50 N.M.
Sliding Resistance	EN	0.25 - 0.55 m

5. Ball / Surface Interaction Tests

There are three categories that define the performance of a football on a surface. The tests that measure these are vertical ball rebound, football roll and angled ball behaviour. The requirements are as follows:

Characteristic	Test Method	Requirements
Vertical Ball Rebound	EN 12235	30 - 50%
Ball Roll	EN 12234	4 m - 10 m
Angled Ball Behaviour	Developed for the FIFA Quality Concept	50 - 70% at 50 km/h with an impact angle of 25°