Abstract: A water-absorptive resin composition which comprises (A) 5 to 95% by weight of a water-absorptive resin and 95 to 5% by weight of (B) a polyolefin resin and (C) an ethylene/.alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber, based on the total contents of said components (A), (B) and (C), wherein the content of said component (C) amounts to 20 to 80% by weight based on the total contents of said components (B) and (C) is disclosed. This water-absorptive resin composition is moldable and has an excellent water absorption property and an excellent water-absorptive resin retention characteristic after absorbing water.

Abstract: An ethylene copolymer comprising an ethylene unit and an ester unit selected from ethylenically .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated acid esters represented by the formula (I) or (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and R.sup.2 represents a halogenated alkyl group having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms; ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and n represents 0 or 1,wherein said ester unit is present in a total amount of from 0.001 to 10 mol %. The copolymer has excellent dielectric breakdown characteristics, such as electricity treeing property, water treeing property, etc., and is useful as an insulating material for high-voltage cables.

Abstract: An ethylene copolymer comprising ethylene and a compound of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R.sup.2 represents a methyl group or an ethyl group, the content of the compound of formula (I) being from 0.005 to less than 10 mole %, and the copolymer being a random copolymer prepared by radical polymerization of ethylene and the compound of formula (I).

Abstract: A method for producing cross-linked polyethylene resin foams which comprises mixing a polyolefin resin, a blowing agent and, optionally, a surface active agent containing hydroxyl groups or an acid amide compound under pressure, said polyolefin resin containing a cross-linkable ethylene polymer having on the side chains thereof silyl groups which effect cross-linking upon contact with water; extruding the mixture into a low pressure zone where the extrudate is allowed to expand; and bringing the expanded extrudate into contact with a silanol condensing catalyst so that the expanded extrudate is cross-linked on contact with water.

Abstract: A novel crosslinkable polyethylene resin composition which can be readily crosslinked rapidly is provided. The composition comprises a copolymer consisting essentially of ethylene and a specific unsaturated silane compound having a (meth)acrylate group as a copolymerizable group and a methoxy group as a hydrolyzable group, and an effective amount of a silanol condensation catalyst.

Abstract: A novel flame-retardant ethylene polymer composition comprising a copolymer consisting essentially of ethylene and an olefinically unsaturated silane compound such as vinyltriethoxysilane, a silanol condensation catalyst such as dibutyltin dilaurate, and a flame retardant such as a chlorinated polyethylene.

Abstract: A laminate film or sheet of crosslinked polyethylene resin has as an outer layer a resin layer comprising a copolymer of ethylene and an ethylenically unsaturated silane compound which has been crosslinked by the contact thereof with moisture and has a gel content of 5 percent or more, and possesses excellent processing stability during its lamination, almost no odor, and, simultaneously, heat resistance and heat sealability.