Basf Aktiengesellschaft

American Colloid Company

John A Henderson

Anthony S Tomlin

Michael A Mitchell

David M Lucas

Samantha J Evans

Multicomponent superabsorbent fibers are disclosed. The multicomponent fibers comprise at least one acidic water-absorbing resin and at least one basic water-absorbing resin. Each fiber contains at least one microdomain of the acidic resin in contact with, or in close proximity to, at least one microdomain of the basic resin. Blends of multicomponent superabsorbent fibers with particles of a second water-absorbing resin also are disclosed. Articles containing the multicomponent superabsorbent fibers also are disclosed.

Multicomponent superabsorbent fibers

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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Birkenhead, United Kingdom

John A Henderson