Water-absorbing resin particles for cable water blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing water-absorbing resin particles for water blocking materials in cables fail to achieve high equilibrium swelling capacity, high water-absorption rate, and appropriate particle size, leading to inadequate performance and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving reversed-phase suspension polymerization of water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers in a hydrocarbon solvent without an internal crosslinking agent, using a surfactant with an HLB of 8 to 12, followed by a post-crosslinking reaction with a glycidyl ether compound, to produce water-absorbing resin particles with enhanced swelling capacity and handling performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional water-absorbing resin production methods are used, then production costs increase, but equilibrium swelling capacity and water-absorption rate remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the timing of crosslinking from during polymerization (internal crosslinking) to after polymerization (post-crosslinking). This parameter change in the process sequence allows use of conventional inexpensive resins while achieving high swelling capacity through controlled post-crosslinking with glycidyl ether compounds, resolving the contradiction between performance and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary polymerization to create hydrogel polymer particles with specific moisture content (30-110 mass%) before conducting the crosslinking reaction. This preliminary preparation of particles with controlled water content enables efficient post-crosslinking that achieves high equilibrium swelling capacity without requiring expensive specialized monomers
2Stability of the object's composition
If internal crosslinking agents are used during polymerization, then crosslinking occurs, but particle size control and handling performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the crosslinking process from the polymerization process. Polymerization produces discrete particles first, then crosslinking is applied separately to the formed particles. This segmentation allows particles to form with appropriate size distribution for good handling, while still achieving the necessary crosslinked structure for water blocking performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary polymerization to form particles with controlled size and morphology before applying the crosslinking reaction. This preliminary particle formation ensures good handling performance, while subsequent post-crosslinking provides the necessary structural stability for water blocking applications
3Reliability
If high swelling capacity is achieved through conventional methods, then water absorption improves, but particle size becomes inappropriate for handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates particle formation from swelling enhancement into distinct stages: first polymerization forms particles with appropriate size for handling, then post-crosslinking enhances swelling capacity. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by achieving both good particle size control and high swelling capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary polymerization to create particles with controlled size distribution suitable for handling before conducting post-crosslinking. This preliminary particle formation with specific moisture content (30-110 mass%) enables subsequent crosslinking to achieve high equilibrium swelling capacity (10-28 mm) while maintaining appropriate particle size (80-400 μm median diameter)
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method results in water-absorbing resin particles with high equilibrium swelling capacity, rapid water-absorption rate, and suitable particle size, effectively preventing water penetration and maintaining a long-term water blocking effect, while reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
The water blocking materials absorb such moisture and swell to increase the pressure in the cables, and thereby moisture is prevented from reaching the cores of the cables
Implementation Method 2
carrying out a post-crosslinking reaction of the hydrogel polymer whose moisture content is adjusted to 30 to 110 mass % based on a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer component that composes the hydrogel polymer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for producing water-absorbing resin particles having high equilibrium swelling capacity, a high water-absorption rate or high initial swelling capacity, and an appropriate particle size that achieves good handling performance; water-absorbing resin particles obtained by the method; and a water blocking material and an absorbent article which include the water-absorbing resin particles. The present invention is a method for producing water-absorbing resin particles, which comprises: preparing a hydrogel polymer by reversed-phase suspension polymerization of a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent in the absence of an internal crosslinking agent but in the presence of a surfactant with an HLB of 8 to 12; carrying out a post-crosslinking reaction of the hydrogel polymer whose moisture content is adjusted to 30 to 110 mass % based on a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer component that composes the hydrogel polymer.