What is tensile strength? And how does it impact the safety and shock-absorbance of surfacing?
The tensile strength of rubber surfacing can be a variable and complicated element of surface engineering. However, PlaySmart is here to give you a run-down on the key ways tensile strength impacts outdoor rubber flooring. Our focus as experts is on the safety, usability, and durability that your playgrounds need.
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What is Tensile Strength?
tensile strength is crucial to understanding the benefits of safety surfacing. It explains the mechanical of shock absorbance or stress potential of rubber flooring.
Tensile strength refers to the maximum stress a material can handle without breaking. This is typically calculated as a measure of pounds per square inch (PSI). Rubber surfacing should maintain a consistent PSI across its area to avoid tears, cracks and damage over time.
Different types of rubber achieve different levels of tensile strength. Therefore, the appropriate outdoor rubber flooring material will be different for sports areas, playgrounds, or walkways.
A general rule for surface engineering is that sites where higher intensity activity will take place need surfaces with higher tensile strength to reduce wear-and tear. This subsequently maintains the surface for longer and prevents slips and trips that can lead to injury.
Compacted Rubber Improves Overall Strength and Stability
The compaction process of rubber mulch surfaces creates a flat, reliable surface with a higher tensile strength overall. The tensile strength of rubber depends on the consistency and overall constitution of the surface and its layers are crucial to improving the tensile strength of outdoor rubber surfaces.
PlaySmart’s experts in rubber flooring install our mulch products in layers to improve the tensile strength of the surface. In our RubbaSmart wetpour system, a base layer and surface section of EPDM granules help to improve the overall protection of the surface. By providing a mix of materials that work together to enable more lateral and vertical movement between layers, the surface is able to withstand more pressure from multiple directions.
For projects where tensile strength and durability are especially important, PlaySmart recommends EPDM rubber. Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer is a rubber renowned for excellent tensile strength. It achieves this as a virgin rubber fine crumb that allows for pressure to spread evenly throughout the surface. This therefore reduces wear and tear at the impact site. When laid and compacted by our professional installation team, EPDM rubber forms a dense, stable surface that can withstand heavy use and harsh environmental conditions.
Colour Impacts Tensile Strength
An often overlooked aspect of rubber installation in outdoor surfacing is the potential of different colours of rubber. Due to the pigmentation, colouring process, and the use of typically virgin rubber rather than recycled elements used in black rubber, vibrant colours have a higher tensile strength.
As a result, introducing vibrant designs and fun colours that children love on the playground is a better choice than plain black rubber surfaces. Darker colours can withstand less stress before breaking as well as having lower UV resistance. Untreated black SBR rubber can also release carbon residue which can cause staining to clothes and skin
A lot of UK playgrounds use black rubber as a cost-saving measure, but this can in fact be detrimental to the lifespan of the surface. Therefore, if your playground uses black rubber as its main surface, we recommend incorporating colourful elements in high stress or the most used areas. EPDM wear pads are a popular element of playground refurbishments. We often install these to cover cracks, reinforce worn areas and protect pathways from future damage.
Additionally, shaped-EPDM wear pads provide extra excitement and fun to the playground. For example: a bright blue moat around a play tower castle, multi-colour splash designs under slides and more. This adds something special for kids to enjoy. Additionally, vibrant snaking pathways can lead children around to each area of the playground.
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![RubbaSmart with Blue EPDM splashes](https://playsmartuk.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/black-epdm.webp)
What does this Mean for My Playground? PlaySmart can Help
With over 20 years of experience in the outdoor surfacing industry, PlaySmart knows the importance of understanding the materials we use. Comparing the strength of each outdoor rubber flooring option before installation ensures you find the material with the right durability, stability and safety that your development project requires.
Are you looking for advice on which surface is right for you and a Free Quick Quote? Then you can go to our contact page and fill in the handy form.