Needle Punching
The process of manufacturing carpets whereby the backing material is the same as the fibres. The fibres are created through a double action of needle punching into the backing and then pulled back through to create the surface pile.
Non-Filled Surface
The original first-generation carpets were non-filled carpets. A very dense synthetic grass carpet that does not have any loose material present in the carpet. The pile height will be relatively short because the fibres are not supported by any infill material. These types of carpet might be non-watered or watered. Also known as Unfilled.
Non-Turf Surface
An artificial non-grass, inorganic surface. Materials that have been used for non-turf surfaces include
Obscured Turf / Pitch
A term sometimes used to refer to a Sand Dressed synthetic pitch, especially a hockey one.
Organic Infill
A material which might be wholly natural such as cork, a cork and coir mixture, or similar. Mixtures of natural and synthetic materials are also available, although this is not strictly organic but partially organic.
Performance Layer
The surface layer in a 3G pitch, which is often composed of rubber infill material. This layer, which might typically be about 25mm in depth significantly influences the playing performance of the carpet.
Pigment
A coloured additive which is made to a polymer in the manufacturing of synthetic fibres.
Pile
The surface of a synthetic carpet. It is sometimes also called the pile face or pile nap.
Pile Height
The maximum height of the fibres without any straightening out taking place. It is measured from the top of the fibre under its natural in-situ condition to the upper surface of the backing material. This indicates how flattened the surface has become. It can also provide an indication of inadequate infill material, as there is limited support available to each filament, or lack of maintenance work in relation to the amount of usage that has taken place. The terms pile height and pile length are sometimes used interchangeably. Also termed Free Pile Height.
Pile Length
The maximum vertical length of fibres. It is measured from the tip of a filament, which is carefully straightened by hand, to the upper surface of the backing material.