Abstract Scope |
Current material analytical characterization methods for synthetic equine granular composites used in Thoroughbred horse racetracks equine sports arenas are discussed. These synthetic composites are currently becoming popular in North America and other parts of the world as a replacement for traditional dirt surfaces. These synthetic materials are composed of sand, polymer fiber, and rubber particulate components bound together by a wax polymeric binder. Materials testing is performed to analyze material constituent properties and how they change over time due to use, environmental effects, and surface maintenance with the goal of increasing the consistency, and subsequent safety, of the bulk equine sports surfaces. Binder and component tests discussed are Soxhlet extraction, TGA, DSC, GC-FID, FTIR, RI (refractive index), rheology, sand XRD, and microscopy. Correlations to associated new and proposed equine ASTM standards are addressed. Example test results are provided. |