Last Updated on February 17, 2022 by ReTurf

Artificial grasses (turf) are created utilizing synthetic materials. While each manufacturer may use a different combination of synthetic materials, they are all thermoplastics. These thermoplastics are all used in a wide variety of applications including items you use and wear every day. These materials are also mixed with dyes and UV stabilizers during the initial material mixing process.

The three main thermoplastics used in artificial grass are:

  • Nylon
  • Polypropylene
  • Polyethylene

Artificial grass itself is in its third generation of production. This latest generation is designed to look and feel more like natural grass while maintaining color, longevity, and durability at levels that no previous generations could maintain.

How Nylon Is Used In Artificial Grass

Nylon is considered to be the most durable thermoplastic used in artificial grass (this was the choice in the original AstroTurf). It is vastly stronger (26% or more) and more resilient (up to 40%) than both polypropylene and polyethylene. It is also considered to be the best in performance in regards to the actual vertical hold of the individual synthetic grass blades.

One downside is that it is far stiffer than the alternatives. So, while Nylon may have the best actual performance of the three synthetic fibers, it has the worst overall feel. This option also has the highest manufacturing costs. Lastly, if used as a backing, Nylon will absorb water.

How Polypropylene Is Used In Artificial Grass

Polypropylene is commonly used as the backing material for artificial grass. Artificial grass is tufted in sheets, much like a carpet, and the backing is the material where this takes place. Unlike Nylon, this backing material will not absorb water. Created in 1952 and as one of the most commonly used thermoplastics in the world, Polypropylene is the least expensive of all three materials.

If Polypropylene is used as the main grass blade material, it is one that can fade in color over time. The surface is shiny and slippery as well, and would not look natural if used this way. This is why it is mainly used as a backing, where it performs best.

How Polyethylene Is Used In Artificial Grass

Polyethylene is the one material where we can take all of the best and worst of the above materials and come up with a happy medium. Polyethylene is commonly chosen for the individual grass blades when creating life-like turf grasses. It is in the middle for comfort, durability, and costs – when compared to the other two.

Combinations of Materials

When you look at all the aspects of the three outlined materials, one can find uses for each within the overall construction of artificial grass. This is exactly what happens from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each touting their own special blend or layered uses for each material. An example might be a synthetic grass with Polypropylene backing, Polyethylene grass blades, and Nylon Polypropylene blended thatching.

This brings up this point, some manufacturers custom blend these materials with custom ratios. Each of these combinations will have a different set of specified traits. Which, in turn, become the sales point for those varieties. This is how artificial grass (available here) truly becomes customized for specific applications.