Abstract: A steam chest mold includes two mold sections defining a mold cavity and a plurality of steam tubes having steam ports positioned within the mold cavity. The mold cavity is closable to contain and compress a plurality of beads such as expanded polyolefin beads. The steam tubes pass through the beads such that steam is injected through the steam ports into the beads to facilitate localized melting and bonding o the bead interfaces to produce a water-impervious panel or billet form. The steam tubes permit bonding of interior beads in thick section billets and panels that cannot be accessed by perimeter steam sources.

Abstract: An artificial turf system includes a turf assembly having a turf backing and stands of artificial grass blades extending from the turf backing to form an artificial turf layer. Infill material is placed in between the blades of artificial grass and on top of the turf backing. The infill material has a composition of sand in an amount within the range of from about 80 to about 98 percent of the infill by dry bulk weight, and organic particles in an amount within the range of from about 2 to about 20 percent of the infill by dry bulk weight.

Abstract: An artificial turf system includes a turf assembly having a turf backing and stands of artificial grass blades extending from the turf backing to form an artificial turf layer. Infill material is placed in between the blades of artificial grass and on top of the turf backing. The infill material has a composition of sand and organic particles. The infill material organic particles includes a plurality of wood particles where at least a portion of the wood particles define a length dimension oriented generally parallel to a grain structure of the wood particles. The length dimension is greater than a width or a thickness dimension and, in one example, may be in a range of about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm. The length dimension and one of the width or thickness dimensions may, in another example, define an aspect ratio within a range of 1:2 to 10:1.

Abstract: An artificial turf system includes a turf assembly having a turf backing and stands of artificial grass blades extending from the turf backing to form an artificial turf layer. Infill material is placed in between the blades of artificial grass and on top of the turf backing. The infill material has a composition of sand in an amount within the range of from about 80 to about 98 percent of the infill by dry bulk weight, and organic particles in an amount within the range of from about 2 to about 20 percent of the infill by dry bulk weight.

Abstract: An artificial turf system includes a turf assembly having a turf backing and stands of artificial grass blades extending from the turf backing to form an artificial turf layer. Infill material is placed in between the blades of artificial grass and on top of the turf backing. The infill material has a composition of sand in an amount within the range of from about 80 to about 98 percent of the infill by dry bulk weight, and organic particles in an amount within the range of from about 2 to about 20 percent of the infill by dry bulk weight.