American Colloid Company

David M Lucas

Anthony S Tomlin

John A Henderson

A method of enhancing the water absorbance of and increasing the particle size of fine water absorbent cross-linked polyacrylic polymer particles includes impregnating the polymer particles with an impregnating monomer solution containing an acrylic monomer, with or without a cross-linking agent for the acrylic monomer. The solution is impregnated into the resin in a weight ratio of cross-linked polyacrylic polymer, dry basis, to impregnating monomer solution in the range of about 1:1 to about 1:10; and subjecting the impregnated polymer to conditions, such as increased temperature, e.g., 100.degree. C.-150.degree. C. to polymerize the impregnated monomer, within the cross-linked polymer particles, to form a cross-linked polyacrylic polymer having enhanced water absorbance and increased particle size.

Method of increasing the size and absorption under load of

A method of enhancing the water or aqueous fluid absorption of and/or increasing the particle size of fine water-absorbent polyacrylic SAP polymer particles includes surface-contacting the SAP polymer particles with a solution containing a cross-linking agent for the polyacrylic SAP polymer, and then subjecting the particles to conditions sufficient to further cross-link the surfaces of the SAP polymer particles. The surface cross-linked particles are then impregnated with water in a weight ratio of SAP polymer, dry basis, to water in the range of about 1:1 to about 1:10 to form a paste, and the paste is subjected to conditions, such as increased temperature, e.g., 50.degree. C.-150.degree. C. to dry the polymer particles to form an acrylic SAP polymer having enhanced fluid absorption under load and, upon pulverizing, increased particle size.

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West Kirby, United Kingdom

David M Lucas