Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a synthetic turf system that includes a hardened layer adjacent or immediately adjacent to a backing layer and also includes artificial turf fibers that extend from the backing layer and the hardened layer. The hardened layer may have been hardened by applying a hardening agent to a layer comprising felt or felt-like material. The layer comprising felt or felt-like material has characteristics that improves wicking and consistency of the hardening agent as compared to the backing layer. The hardening agent may also reach or apply to a backing sheet of the backing layer. Other embodiments and variations of embodiments are also contemplated.

Abstract: A padded surface for tennis courts (adhered over surface foundation such as asphalt or concrete) that includes a soft padding layer including granulated SBR rubber added to a polyurethane elastomer, and a top wear layer with a sand dispersion. The polyurethane elastomer is formed by mixing a first component of polypropylene glycol, castor oil, silica, iron oxide pigment, a molecular sieve, a UV stabilizer, and a catalyst, with a second component formed of polypropylene glycol and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. The top wear layer comprises any one from among a group consisting of a water-based urethane, acrylic, or urethane-acrylic hybrid intermixed with sand in a dispersion. The resulting tennis surface provides an optimum balance of physical properties needed for the performance of the surface, despite a wide range of temperatures, and the thickness can be varied as desired to comply with ITF shock absorption rates of 13-20% and to suit customer preferences.