Abstract: The present invention concerns rubber-based composite materials swellable with water and associated methods of production. A swellable rubber material according to the present invention comprises a vulcanized non-silicone rubber selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, butadiene-styrene rubber, bromobutyl rubber, and ethylene-propylene rubber; and a hydrogel filler cross-linked by a crosslinking agent, wherein the composite material is vulcanizable at a temperature up to 150.degree. C., is thermoformable, possesses shape memory after thermoforming, and is swellable with water or aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Hydrophilic silicones composite contain 10 to 150 wt. parts of a powdered hydrogel filler with particle size 10.sup.-6 to 10.sup.-1 mm on 100 parts by weight of crosslinked silicone polymer which forms a continuous matrix of the composite. The used hydrogel filler is formed made of physically or chemically crosslinked polymers or copolymers of polyol or dihydroxyether monomethacrylates, amides of methacrylic or acrylic acid or their N-monosubstituted and N,N-disubstituted derivatives, or a multiblock copolymer of acrylonitrile with acrylamide and/or acrylic acid. The hydrogel filler is mixed into the non-crosslinked silicone rubber, which is, after shaping, crosslinked by the known procedure of silicone rubber vulcanization at temperatures ranging from 15.degree. to 200.degree. C. These composites are substantially stronger, more plastic, and absorb more water than expected. Tensile strength and shape memory are improved. The composites are useful as biomaterials.