*This article is about sodium polyacrylate uses.
Brief introduction
- Sodium polyacrylate has strong water absorbing ability.
- It can absorb hundreds of times its weight and lock water firmly.
- After absorbing, sodium polyacrylate powder (or granule) will turn into water gel form.
Uses List
Contents
- For ice bag/pack
- For waterblocking tape
- For anti-flood sandbags
- For concrete protection
- For hygiene products
- For other applications
For ice bag/pack
Freshwater is directed at the individual sheets of ice packs to activate them; Superabsorbent Polymer instantly starts absorbing the water and converting it to a Gel by placing them under fresh tap water; in about 20 minutes time it is seen to soak up enough water to form small cushion-shaped Ice Cubes.
They are now ready for use by placing them in the freezer.
Important indicator as follows,
- Hydration time;
- Price;
- Granular size.
For waterblocking tape
The SAP is a highly coveted product as far as the manufacture of water-proof tapes and ointments for all sorts of cables are concerned; even, optical fiber cables use SAP.
The extent and the speed of absorption are quite high and so are the overall inflation rate and its quantum of inflation upon encountering water.
Important indicator as follows,
- Hydration time;
- Price;
- Granular size.
For anti-flood sandbags
SAP has this unique application in Disaster Management where it is used in preparing sandbags which, when coming in contact with water, quickly absorb it and expand to form a barrier to the advancing water.
Though we call them Sandbags, they actually do not contain any sand; they are so-called because that is how they have been known traditionally.
These Sand-less Sandbags are quite small in size and light in weight initially but they soak up the water to assume a solid shape. They are much easier to store and transport and take up lesser space when unused.
Important indicator as follows,
- Absorbent rate;
- The photolysis resistance.
For concrete protection
- Its permeability happens to be quite low; it totally shuts out the water content,
- Due to its fibrous texture, it can be stored to form a vertical barrier,
- Since it is an effective sealant, it finds application in Cement-based items.
For hygiene products
With its awesome properties of liquid absorption and locking it has found very useful application in products prone to moisture like:
- Diapers,
- Sanitary napkins,
- Nursing pads and
- Pet pads.
Important indicator as follows,
- Absorbent rate;
- Absorption under pressure and retention capacity after centrifugation;
- Liquid Permeability;
- Residual Monomer.
Other Applications
It finds extensive usage in a number of species of products due to its amazing properties; some of them may be listed here:
- As an additive for functional coating in many specific applications,
- As an additive in Air fresheners,
- For expanding rubber requirements,
- Absorption of wastewaters from industries,
- In the mining industry for disaster management and normal seepages,
- In certain cosmetics.
Due to its awesome capacity to act on moisture, SAP (Superabsorbent Polymer) is finding newer purposes for which it is being employed.