Abstract: Method for the production of water swellable, lightly crosslinked, hydrogel polymer tapes or fibers comprises extruding an isocyanato terminated prepolymer of a poly(alkyleneoxy) polyol and an organic diisocyanate into a coagulant or crosslinking bath containing water or organic polyamine as the crosslinker.

Abstract: Polyurethane hydrogels of high water swellability comprising lightly crosslinked polymers of isocyanate terminated prepolymers which are the reaction production of (i) poly(alkyleneoxy) polyols with (ii) organic diisocyanates that has been lightly crosslinked with (iii) water or an organic polyamine.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe use of fibrous materials as absorbents for moisture is a well known, widespread practice. In this application many of the natural and synthetic fibers have been used and extensive efforts have been made to improve the absorption properties of the materials. One of the major deficiencies of the natural and synthetic materials heretofore used has been the tendency for them to release the absorbed moisture when pressure has been applied to the moisture containing material. The fact that pressure causes the absorbed fluid to be expelled from the fibers is known as reversible absorption.