InstaTurf™ ShearForce10™ and ShearForce12™ products offer the economic and environmental benefits of soft armor, with the immediate high flow erosion control of large rock riprap and other hard armor linings. These “hybrid-turf” products utilize simulated turf to effectively protect, grow and reinforce natural vegetation in high flow areas. Proven in ASTM D6460 Large Scale Channel Testing without vegetation to exceed the permissible shear stress ratings of 30-inch diameter rock, these instant armoring products are ideal for protecting high flow channels, culvert outfalls, downchutes, spillways, shorelines, and other critical areas subject to substantial erosive forces before vegetation establishment.
Conventional turf reinforcement mats (TRMs) have long been used to increase the erosion resistance of vegetation up to that of rock riprap and other hard armor linings. But unlike rock, conventional TRM systems do not provide a high level of erosion protection until vegetation maturity, leaving them vulnerable to water damage and failure before full-growth vegetation is established. This vulnerability can put your entire project at risk. The molded-in green color and grass-like texture of InstaTurf® Soft Armor products present a pleasing landscape while protecting new vegetative plantings. These products not only provide rock-like erosion protection from day-one, they also mimic the look of grass before the real grass grows through. Meaning you can install InstaTurf Soft Armor products any time of the year and have an immediate finished look.