Abstract: A process for producing a highly water absorptive polymer by polymerizing a water-soluble, ethylenically unsaturated monomer in a water-in-oil type of dispersion consisting of the dispersion phase of an aqueous monomer solution comprising the water-soluble, ethylenically unsaturated monomer, water, a water-soluble polymerization initiator and an optional water-soluble crosslinking agent and the continuous phase of an organic solvent containing a dispersant, characterized in that the aqueous monomer solution is added to the organic solvent at such a temperature as to form an oil-in-water type of dispersion, and the oil-in-water type of dispersion is then heated at least to a phase reversal temperature at which it is transformed into the water-in-oil type of dispersion.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing a substantially water-insoluble, highly water-absorptive polymer which comprises subjecting an aqueous solution of a monomer comprising as a main component acrylic acid and/or its alkali metal salt to polymerization in the presence of a hypophosphorous acid compound.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing a highly water absorptive polymer, which comprises making up a mixture (A) comprising an aqueous solution of (a) a partially neutralized product of acrylic acid with 20% or more of carboxylic groups being neutralized to an alkali metal salt or ammonium salt, (b) a crosslinking agent having two or more copolymerizable vinyl groups in one molecule, (c) a basic vinyl monomer in a quantity of 20 mol % or less based on said partially neutralized product of acrylic acid, (d) a nonionic surfactant with HLB of 7 or more and (e) an oxidative radical polymerization initiator, said mixture (A) being maintained at a temperature of 50.degree. C. or lower, and a mixture (B) comprising an amine or a reducing agent dissolved in water or in said mixture (A) from which at least the component (e) is removed, and mixing both the mixtures to cause polymerization.

Abstract: A water penetration preventive cable comprising an assembly of linear elements comprising a core wire in various forms and an optional linear tensile strength element, the assembly being covered with a sheath, characterized in that the linear elements and/or the sheath are wound with a water absorptive tape, and/or in that the gap between the linear elements and/or between the linear element and the sheath is filled with a linear water absorptive linear elements, wherein the water absorptive tape and water absorptive linear elements are made of a water absorptive polymer supported on a tape-like or linear support.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of water absorptive resins which comprises supplying a solution containing at least 20% by weight of a water soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer as a main component to a polymerization vessel accommodating a vapor phase comprising steam or a mixture of steam with at least one gas substantially inert with respect to polymerization, and polymerizing the monomer in the vapor phase under the relative humidity conditions in the vapor phase of 30% or more.

Abstract: A process for producing a highly water adsorptive polymer, which comprises subjecting an aqueous solution of partially neutralized sodium acrylate wherein 20 to 50% or less of the carboxyl group has been neutralized to its sodium salt, the concentration of the partially neutralized sodium acrylate in the aqueous solution being 45 to 80% by weight, to solution polymerization in the presence of a crosslinking agent and optionally not exceeding 20 mol % based on the partially neutralized sodium acrylate of at least one basic vinyl monomer selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylamide, N,N-dimethyl(meth)acrylamide, dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylamide, 2-vinylpyridine, and 4-vinylpyridine with the use of a water soluble radical polymerization initiator.

Abstract: There is provided a process for preparing a water absorptive composite, which comprises the combination of the steps of (A) applying an aqueous solution containing (a) a polymerizable monomer comprising as a main component acrylic acid, of which 20% or more of the carboxyl groups have been neutralized to its alkali metal salt or ammonium salt, (b) a crosslinking agent, (c) a polyoxyethylene acyl ester with HLB of 7 or more and (d) an oxidative radical polymerization initiator to a prefabricated fibrous substrate and (B) polymerizing the polymerizable monomer applied to the fibrous substrate with addition of a reducing agent to form a composite of a polymer derived from the polymerizable monomer and the fibrous substrate.

Abstract: There is provided a process for preparing a water absorptive composite material, which comprises the combination of the following steps:(A) applying an aqueous solution of polymerizable monomers comprising as a main component acrylic acid, of which 20% or more of the carboxyl groups have been neutralized to its alkali metal salt or ammonium salt, to a prefabricated fibrous substrate;(B) polymerizing the polymerizable monomers applied to said fibrous substrate to form a composite of a polymer derived from said polymerizable monomers and said fibrous substrate; and(C) irradiating ultraviolet rays onto said composite with its water content being 0.01 to 40 parts by weight per 1 part by weight of said polymer to obtain a water absorptive composite having a lower content of unpolymerized monomers than said composite.

Abstract: There is provided a process for preparing a water absorptive composite material, which comprises the combination of the following steps of:(A) applying an aqueous solution of a polymerizable monomer comprising as a main component acrylic acid, of which 20% or more of the carboxyl groups have been neutralized to its alkali metal salt or ammonium salt, to a prefabricated fibrous substrate;(B) polymerizing the polymerizable monomers applied to said fibrous substrate to form a composite of a polymer derived from said polymerizable monomer and said fibrous substrate; and(C) adding to said composite a crosslinking agent having two or more functional groups reactive with the carboxyl groups and/or carboxylate groups contained in the polymer to react therewith.

Abstract: A process for preparing a water absorptive composite consisting of a highly water absorptive polymer and a prefabricated fibrous substrate, which comprises applying an aqueous solution containing (a) a polymerizable monomer comprising as a main component acrylic acid, of which 20% or more of the carboxyl groups have been neutralized to its alkali metal salt or ammonium salt, (b) 2-vinylpyridine or(and) 4-vinylpyridine or(and) their salts, (c) a crosslinking agent and (d) an oxidative radical polymerization initiator to a prefabricated fibrous substrate, and then carrying out polymerization with addition of a reducing agent.

Abstract: Aqueous solution of alkali or ammonium acrylate is applied to a prefabricated fibrous substrate, and the acrylate is subjected to polymerization in two steps, namely the first step in which the acrylate is polymerized by means of a radical polymerization initiator and the second step which is subsequent to the first step and in which the unpolymerized acrylate is polymerized by means of heat treatment at 100.degree.-250.degree. C.

Abstract: Aqueous solution of alkali or ammonium acrylate is applied to a prefabricated fibrous substrate, and the acrylate is subjected to polymerization in two steps, namely the first step in which the acrylate is polymerized by means of a radical polymerization initiator and the second step which is subsequent to the first step and in which the unpolymerized acrylate is polymerized by means of irradiation with electromagnetic radiation or corpuscular ionizing radiation.