Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a self-dispersing and salt-sensitive polymer by polymerizing the following monomers (A), (B) and (C) in a total concentration of 25 % by weight or above:(A) 35 to 65 % by weight of acrylic acid,(B) 10 to 45 % by weight of a vinyl monomer represented by the following general formula [I]:CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(R.sup.1)COOR.sup.2 [I]wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group having 8 to 12 carbon atoms, and(C) 20 to 45% by weight of a vinyl monomer represented by the following general formula [II]:CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(R.sup.3)COOR.sup.4 [II]wherein R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and R.sup.4 represents an alkyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms in a mixed solvent comprising 50 to 90% by weight of an organic solvent having a solubility parameter of 10 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.

Abstract: A water-soluble polymer which is soluble in tap water, but insoluble in an aqueous solution containing 0.5% or more of a neutral inorganic salt, which is a copolymer of:(A) 30 to 75% by weight of acrylic acid,(B) 5 to 30% by weight of a vinyl monomer represented by the following general formula [1]:CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(R)COOR.sup.1 [1]wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group having 8 to 12 carbon atoms, and(C) 20 to 40% by weight of a vinyl monomer represented by the following general formula [2]:CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(R.sup.2)COOR.sup.3 [2]wherein R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and R.sup.3 represents an alkyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atomsand in which not more than 50 molar % of the repeating units of derived from the acrylic acid is in the form of a salt. When the polymer is used as a binder for a non-woven fabric or paper, it exhibits satisfactory strength and permeability to a body fluid when the resultant product is wet with body fluid.