Water-absorbing, foam-type polymer structures

Translation of description of equivalent WO 2004006971 A2

p0001Water-absorbing, FOAM SHAPED Polymer Structure

p0002The invention relates to a method for producing a water, schaumformigen polymer structure, an obtainable by this process water-absorbent, schaumformiges polymer structures, a water-absorbent, schaumformiges polymer structures, a composite comprising a water-absorbent, schaumformiges polymer structures and a substrate, method for manufacturing the composite obtained by this procedures available networks, the use of the water, schaumformigen polymer structure and chemical products.

p0003Water-absorbing polymers are referred to as superabsorbents or superabsorbent polymers, as they are able to absorb many times their own weight of aqueous liquids to form hydrogels incorporated. In practice, these superabsorbents are used for example in diapers to absorb urine. They have the property of retaining the absorbed liquid even under mechanical load.

p0004The use of superabsorbent happening today predominantly in powdery ger execution. In the course of simplifying procedures, it is desired to employ the superabsorbers in a fixed form to include, for example, in a foamed matrix. According to the prior art, there are two different types of foamed systems.

p0005The first type is a foamed matrix containing prefabricated superabsorbent granules. Thus beschriebt EP-A-0427219 mixtures of superabsorbent polymers and latex foams. The expanded matrix serves to fix the superabsorbent granules and Flüssigkeitsvertei- hung. The matrix itself but contributes to fluid absorption at very limited.

p0006In the second type is foams which themselves consist superabsorbie- rendem material. For the production of such foams, three different methods are described in the literature. These can be prepared either by polymerizing a monomer in a water-in-oil polymer dispersion (i), by foaming a monomer and subsequent polymerization (ii) or by thermal foaming of a polymer with the addition of bulking and foaming agents (iii).

p0007Thus, WO 96/21680 and WO 96/21181 describes a method according to one of the

p0008Type (i) produced foam. In this method, a Monomermi-

p0009-. mixture containing an emulsified aqueous phase is polymerized. The water in this case acts as a placeholder for the later pores of the foam. The in this

p0010However, foams document described have a low retention.

p0011WO 94/22502 discloses a method according to one of the type (ii) the resulting foam based on partially neutralized polyacrylates. The foam is by frothing a monomer mixture with a water-soluble propellant such as Freon 1,1,2 prepared. The disadvantage of the foams described in this document lies in its low absorption rate.

p0012WO 97/17397, absorbent foams by foaming a monomer solution with blowing agents by a process of the type (ii) receive. The disadvantage of the foams described in this document is in hardness and brittleness. In order to process them, plasticizers have to be incorporated in the foams. US 4,394,930 describes absorbent polymer foams by a process of type (iii) were produced. In the process described in this document are prefabricated superabsorbent such as starch copolymers, foamed thermally with the addition of blowing agents on a support such as cellulose fiber fleece or a polyethylene film. The foams obtained by this method are hard and inflexible.

p0013WO 880981 also beschreit absorbent polymer foams that have been obtained by a process of the type (iii). A terpolymer of ethyl acrylate, sodium acrylate and sodium methacrylate is thermally foamed in the presence of blowing agents, such as sodium bicarbonate. Due to the low Polyelektrolytanteils the foams described in this document have however a low retention.

p0014In general, the object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages arising from the prior art.

p0015Another object underlying this invention is to provide absorbent polymeric foams which exhibit both in terms of retention and in terms of absorption speed and the absorption under a load satisfactory properties.

p0016Further, the object of the invention is to provide absorbent foams which have a high softness and flexibility, although they consist of a single polymer, in which no prefabricated superabsorbent material must be incorporated.

p0017Furthermore, is this invention seeks to provide a method by which such foams by the use of possible cost- ger starting compounds and halogenated hydrocarbons may preferably be produced as a blowing agent without the use.

p0018Finally, an object of the invention is, in particular hygiene products and their ingredients provide composites, which have a high level of comfort in addition to the absorbent properties and in particular not to limit the user in his mobility.

p0019The above objects are achieved by a method for producing water-absorbing, schaumformigen polymer structures, wherein an aqueous composition (A) comprising (Al) water, (A2) one or more polymers having at least on

p0020(Αl) 55-100 wt .-%, preferably from 55 to 99.9 wt .-% and more preferably 70-90 wt .-% of polymerized one, monoethylemsch unsaturated monomers containing acid groups or salt thereof, as well as to (α2) 0-45 wt .-%, preferably 0.1-45 wt .-% and particularly preferably 10-30 wt .-% polymerized a, monoethylemsch unsaturated copolymerizable with (αl) based monomers, wherein the sum of the weight amounts (αl) and (α2) is 100 wt .-% and wherein at least 31.5 wt .-% of the monomers, preferably at least 50 wt .-% and particularly preferably at least 75 wt .-%, each based on the total weight of the monomers (αl) and (α2), acrylic acid or salts of acrylic acid are (A3) one or more crosslinking agents, (A4) one or more blowing agents, (A5) one or more surfactants, (A6) and optionally further auxiliaries foamed and the foamed aqueous composition is then heated at a temperature in a range of 50 to 300 ° C, preferably in a range of 100 to 250 ° C, so that, preferably as a result, the polymers (A2) at least partially crosslinked and the water content (AI) to a maximum of 15 wt .-%, preferably at most 10 wt .-% and particularly preferably at most 5 wt .-%, each based on the total weight of the resulting, schaumformigen polymer structure and each determined by the oven method in accordance with ERT 430.1-99, is set.

p0021In another embodiment of the method, the above-obtained foam-like polymer structures may be brought at least one more time with at least one crosslinking agent in contact. As crosslinkers, the crosslinking agent (A3) are preferred. The further cross-linking of the polymer structure schaumformigen is preferably carried out thermally, preferably in a range of 50 to 300 ° C and particularly preferably in a range of 120 to 200 ° C. Particularly preferably, the crosslinking takes place more in the area of ​​the surface of the polymer structure schaumformigen.

p0022In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention are at least 50 mole%, preferably at least 90 mol% and particularly preferably at least 99.9 mole% of the monomers of the polymer (A2) in water.

p0023The monoethylemsch unsaturated, acid group-containing monomers (αl) can be partially or fully, preferably partially neutralized. Preferably, the monoethylemsch unsaturated monomers containing acid groups of at least 25 mol%, more preferably at least 50 mol% and moreover preferably 50-90 mol%. The neutralization of the monomers (αl) can take place before or after the polymerization. Furthermore, the neutralization with alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonia and carbonates and bicarbonates. In addition, any further base is conceivable which forms a water soluble salt with the acid. A mixed neutralization with different bases is also conceivable. Preferably, the neutralization with ammonia or with alkali metal hydroxides, more preferably sodium hydroxide or with ammonia.

p0024Preferred monoethylenically unsaturated, acid-functional monomers (αl) are acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, α-chloro acrylic acid, α- cyanoacrylic, ß-methyl acrylic acid (crotonic), α-phenylcyanoacrylic, .beta.-acryloxy, sorbic acid, α-chloro sorbic acid, 2'-Methylisocroton- acid, cinnamic acid, p-chloro cinnamic acid, beta-stearyl acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, glutaconic acid, aconitic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, tricarbo- xyethylen and maleic anhydride, acrylic acid and methacrylic acid are particularly preferred and acrylic acid furthermore preferred.

p0025Besides these carboxylate monomers are monoethylenically unsaturated acid-functional monomers (αl) further ethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acid or ethylenically unsaturated phosphonic acid-monomers preferred.

p0026Ethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acid monomers are allylsulfonic or aliphatic or aromatic vinyl or acrylic or methacrylic sulfonic acids. As aliphatic or aromatic vinyl vinylsulfonic, 4-vinylbenzyl, vinyltoluene and styrenesulfonic acid. When acrylic or Methacrylsulfonsäuren are sulfonic foethyl (meth) acrylate, sulfopropyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxy-3 -methacryloxypro- pylsulfonsäure and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid are preferred. Furthermore are ethylenically unsaturated phosphonic acid, such as Ni acid, allylphosphonic, vinylbenzylphosphonic,

p0027(Meth) acrylamidoalkylphosphonsäuren, Acrylamidoalkyldiphosphonsäuren, phosponomethylierte vinyl amines and (meth) acrylphosphonsäurederivate preferably.

p0028Preferred monoethylenically unsaturated, copolymerizable with (αl) monomers (α2) are amides and Νitrile of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylamide, methacrylamide and Ν-Ninylformamide, acrylate lonitril and methacrylonitrile, Dialkyldiallylammoniumhalide as dimethyldiallylammonium chloride, diethyldiallyl, Allylpiperidinium- bromide, Ν-Ninylimidazole as Ν-vinylimidazole, l-vinyl-2-methylimidazole and Ν-vinylimidazolines such as Ν-vinylimidazoline, 1 - vinyl-2-methylimidazoline, 1-vinyl-2-ethylimidazoline nyl or l-vinyl-2-propylimidazoline, which can be used in the form of the free bases, in quartemisierter or salt form in the polymerization. Moreover, dialkylaminoalkyl and dialkylamines are minoalkylmethacrylate, for example dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, diethylaminoethyl methacrylate and diethylaminoethyl methacrylate. Other preferred monomers (α2) are, for example, vinyl esters of saturated C, -C₄Carboxylic acids such as vinyl formate, vinyl acetate or vinyl propionate, alkyl vinyl ethers having at least two carbon atoms in the alkyl group, such as ethyl vinyl ether or butyl vinyl ether, esters of monoethylenically unsaturated C₃-C₆Carboxylic acids such as esters of monohydric C ^ C_8thAlcohols and acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or maleic acid, monoesters of maleic acid, for example, monomethyl maleate, and hydroxyalkyl esters of said monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, for example 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, hydroxybutyl acrylate, hydroxy ethyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate and hydroxybutyl methacrylate, Ν- vinyllactams such as Ν-vinylpyrrolidone or Ν-vinylcaprolactam, acrylic acid and methacrylic esters of alkoxylated monohydric saturated Alcohols, for example from alcohols having 10 to 25 carbon atoms which have been reacted with 2 to 200 mol ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide per mole of alcohol, as well as mono-acrylic acid esters of polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol, the molar masses of the polyalkylene glycols can for example be up to 2,000 , Further suitable monomers (α2) are alkyl-substituted styrenes such as ethylstyrene or tert. Butylstyrene.

p0029The preparation of the polymers (A2) can be prepared by various known polymerization methods. especially in aqueous solution is preferable to radical polymerization in homogeneous phase, as a gel polymerization. Further possibilities are the precipitation from organic solvents, such as, for example, from alcohols, or suspension, emulsion or microemulsion polymerization. In special cases, running via an ionic mechanism polymerizations are useful instead of radical polymerization. In the polymerization, further adjuvants, such as chain regulators may be as mercaptoethanol used, in addition to the polymerization initiators.

p0030As initiators for initiating polymerization can all be used forming under the polymerization conditions radical initiators which are commonly used in the production of superabsorbent polymers. Initiation of the polymerization by the action of electron beams on the polymerizable aqueous monomer mixture is possible. The polymerization can, however, also be initiated in the absence of initiators of the abovementioned type by the action of high energy radiation in the presence of photoinitiators.

p0031Polymerization initiators are preferably peroxides, hydroperoxides, hydrogen peroxide, persulfates, azo compounds and the so-called Redoxkata- catalysts. the use of water-soluble catalysts is preferred. In some Cases it is advantageous to use mixtures of various polymerization initiators. Among these mixtures, those of hydrogen peroxide and sodium or potassium, which can be used in any conceivable quantity ratio. Suitable organic peroxides are preferably acetyl acetone, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, Cu molhydroperoxid, t-Amylperpivat, t-Butylperviat, t-Butylpemeohexonat, t- butyl isobutyrate, t-butyl-2-ethylhexenoat, t-Butylperisononanoate, t- Butylpermaleat , t-butyl perbenzoate, t-butyl-3,5,5-tri-methylhexanoate and amyl perneodekanoat. Furthermore, preferred as the polymerization initiator: azo compounds such as 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, azo-bis-amidinopropane dihydrochloride, 2,2'-azobis (N, N-dimethylene) isobutyramidin- dihydrochloride , 2- (carbamoylazo) isobutyronitrile and 4,4'-azobis- (4-cyanovaleric acid). The compounds mentioned are used in customary amounts, preferably in a range of 0.01 to 5, preferably from 0.1 to 2 mol%, based in each case on the amount of monomers to be polymerized.

p0032The redox catalysts contain as oxidic component at least one of the above compounds and the reducing component preferably ascorbic acid, glucose, sorbose, mannose, ammonium or alkali metal hydrogen sulfite, sulfate, thiosulfate, hyposulfite or sulfide, metal salts such as iron Il-ion or silver ions or sodium hydroxymethyl sulfoxylate. Preferably used as reducing component of the redox Ascorbic acid or sodium. Based on the amount of monomers in the polymerization is 1 * 10^"5 to 1 mol% of the reducing component of the redox catalyst and 1 * 10^"5 used to 5 mol% of the oxidizing component of the redox catalyst. Instead of the oxidizing component of the redox catalyst, or in addition to this, one or more, preferably water-soluble azo compounds are used. A redox system is used comprising hydrogen peroxide, sodium peroxodisulfate and ascorbic acid for the production of polymers (A2). Azo compounds are generally preferred in the invention as initiators, azo-bis-amidinopropane dihydrochloride is particularly preferred. In general, the polymerization is initiated with the initiators in a temperature range of 30 to 90 ° C.

p0033When the polymerization is initiated using high energy radiation, are usually used photoinitiators as initiators. This may for example be so-called α-splitters, H-abstracting systems or else azides. Examples of such initiators are benzophenone derivatives such as Michler's ketone, phenanthrene derivatives, fluorene derivatives, anthraquinone derivatives, thioxanthone derivatives, coumarin derivatives, benzoin ethers and derivatives thereof, azo compounds such as the radical generator above, sub- stituted hexaarylbisimidazoles or acylphosphine oxides. Examples of azides are: (N, N-dimethylamino) ethyl-4-azidocinnamat, 2- (N, N-dimethylamino) ethyl-4- azidonaphthylketon, 2- (N, N-dimethylamino) ethyl 4-azidobenzoate, 5-Azido -L-naphthyl-2- (N, N-dimethylamino) ethyl sulfone, N- (4-Sulfonylazidophe- nyl) maleimide, N-acetyl-4-sulfonylazidoanilin, 4-sulfonylazidoanilin, 4-azido- aniline, 4-Azidophenacylbromid, p -Azidobenzoesäure, 2,6-bis (p-azidobenzyli- the) cyclohexanone and 2,6-bis (ρ-azidobenzylidene) -4-methylcyclohexanone.

p0034In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the polymers (A2) have a certain amount by GPC number average molecular weight of at least 10,000 g / mol, preferably of at least 25,000 g / mol and even more preferably of at least 50,000 g mol, preferably a specific means of GPC number average molecular weight of 10,000,000 g / mol, particularly preferably from 5,000,000 g / mol is not exceeded. In a further preferred embodiment of the inventive process prior to foaming of the aqueous composition (A) in a content of this polymer (A2) of preferably 10 to 90 wt .-%, particularly preferably from 20 to 70 wt .-% and moreover preferably from 30 to 60% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the aqueous composition (A) is set. Preferably, this adjustment is carried out by diluting the aqueous composition (A) with water.

p0035Preferred cross-linkers (A3) are compounds having at least two functional groups, can with functional groups of the monomers (αl) or (α2) in a condensation reaction (= condensation), in an addition reaction or in a ring opening reaction react (cross-linker class I) , or polyvalent metal cations (cross-linker class II). In this case a crosslinking of the polymers is obtained by condensation reaction of the functional groups by the compounds of crosslinker I, while II crosslinking by electrostatic interaction of the polyvalent metal cation with the functional groups of the monomers (αl) or (α2) is achieved when the compounds of the cross-linker.

p0036When connecting the I crosslinking agents may be mentioned as examples polyols, for example ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycols such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycols such as dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol or tetrapropylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5- pentanediol, 2,4-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2,5-hexanediol, glycerol, polyglycerol, trimethylol propane, polyoxypropylene, oxyethylene oxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, pentaerythritol, polyvinyl alcohol and sorbitol, aminoalcohols, for example ethanolamine , diethanolamine, triethanolamine or propanolamine, polyamine compounds such as ethylene diamine, Diethylentriaamin, Triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine or pentaethylenehexamine, polyglycol diglycidyl ether compounds such as ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, poly ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, glycerol diglycidyl ether, glycerol polyglycidyl ether, Pentareritritpolyglycidylether, propylene glycol Polypropylengly- glycol diglycidyl ether, neopentyl glycol diglycidyl ether, hexanediol, tri- methylolpropanpolyglycidylether, sorbitol, Phtahlsäurediglyci- dylester, Adipinsäurediglycidylether, l, 4-phenylene -bis (2-oxazoline), glycidol, polyisocyanates, preferably diisocyanates, such as 2,4-toluene diisocyanate and hexamethylene diisocyanate, polyaziridine compounds such as 2,2-methylbutanol Bishydroxy--tris [3- (l-aziridinyl) propionate], 1 , 6-Hexamethylendiethylen- urea and diphenylmethane-bis-4,4'-N, N'-diethylenhamstoff, haloepoxides example epichloro- and epibromohydrin and α-methylepichlorohydrin, alkylation lencarbonate as l, 3-dioxolan-2-one (ethylene carbonate) , 4-methyl-l, 3-dioxolan-2-one (propylene carbonate), 4,5-dimethyl-l, 3-dioxolan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-l, 3- dioxolan-2-one, 4-ethyl-l, 3-dioxolan-2-one, 4-hydroxymethyl-l, 3-dioxolan-2-one, l, 3-dioxan-2-one, 4-methyl-l, 3-dioxan-2- one, 4,6-dimethyl-l, 3-dioxan-2-one, 1,3-dioxolan-2-one, poly-l, 3-dioxolan-2-one, amines such as condensation products of polyquaternary dimethylamines and epichlorohydrin. As linker class I polyoxazolines as 1, 2-ethylenebisoxazoline, supply are netzer preferably with Süangruppen as γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane pyltrimethoxysilan, oxazolidinones such as 2-oxazolidinone, bis- and poly-2-oxazolidinones and diglycol.

p0037Particularly preferred as crosslinkers of crosslinker class I is ethylene.

p0038The polyvalent metal cations of cross II are preferably derived from mono- or polyvalent cations from the singly charged in particular from alkali metals such as potassium, sodium, lithium, with lithium being preferred. Preferred divalent cations are derived from zinc, beryllium, alkaline earth metals, such as magnesium, calcium, strontium, from, with magnesium being preferred. Further applicable higher valent cations are cations of aluminum, iron, chromium, manganese, titanium, zirconium and other transition metals as well as double salts of such cations or mixtures of said salts. Preference is aluminum salts and alums and their various hydrates such. B. alch x 6H₂O, NaA (SO₄)₂ x 12 H₂O, KAI (SO₄)₂ 12 H₂O or Al₂(SO₄)₃xl4-18 H₂O used.

p0039Particular preference Al (SO₄)₃ and its hydrates as cross-linkers of Council netzungsklasse II used.

p0040Preferred embodiments of the inventive method is a method used in the linkers of the following cross-linker classes or the following combinations of crosslinker: I, II, I II.

p0041It is according to the invention further preferred that the crosslinking agent (A3) in an amount in a range of 0.001 to 10 wt .-%, preferably in a range of 0.01 to 5 wt .-% and particularly preferably in a range from 1 to be 2.5 wt .-%, each based on the total weight of the aqueous composition (A).

p0042As a blowing agent (A4) are preferably compounds in the method according to the invention which are capable under the process conditions for gas evolution. Preferred blowing agents are, for example, inorganic salts such as ammonium carbonate or azodicarbonate, or organic compounds which are capable under the process conditions for decarboxylation, such as citric acid.

p0043It is erfϊndungsgemäß further preferred that the blowing agent (A4) in an amount in a range of 0.1 to 20 wt .-%, preferably in a range of 1 to 15 wt .-% and particularly preferably in a range of 5 to 12 wt .-%, each based on the total weight of the aqueous composition (A) can be used.

p0044Suitable surfactants (A5) anionic, cationic, nonionic or ambivalent surfactants or mixtures thereof may be used. Both low molecular weight and polymeric surfactants. Non-ionic surfactants are, for example, addition products of alkylene oxides, in particular ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and / or butylene oxide with alcohols, amines, phenols, naphthols or carboxylic acids. Advantageously used as surfactants addition products of E- oxide and / or propylene oxide with at least 10 carbon atoms containing alcohols, the addition products per mole of alcohol containing 3 to 200 mol of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide attached. The Additonsprodukte contain the alkylene oxide units in the form of blocks or in random distribution. Examples of nonionic surfactants are the addition products of 7 mol of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of tallow, reaction products of 9 mol ethylene thylenoxid with 1 mol of tallow fatty alcohol and Additonsprodukte of 80 moles of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of tallow fatty alcohol. Other commercial nonionic surfactants consist of reaction products of oxo alcohols or Ziegler alcohols with 5 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, in particular with 7 mol of ethylene oxide. Other commercial nonionic surfactants are obtained by ethoxylation of castor oil. Per mole of castor oil are attached, for example, 12 to 80 moles of ethylene oxide. Other commercially available products are for example the reaction products of 18 mol of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of tallow fatty alcohol, the ad ditionsprodukte of 10 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of a C₁₃/ C₁₅Oxoalcohol, or the reaction products of 7 to 8 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mole of a C₁₃/ C₁₅Oxo alcohol. Further suitable nonionic surfactants are Phenolalkoxy- late such as p-tert-butylphenol which has been reacted with 9 mol of ethylene oxide, or methyl ethers of reaction products of 1 mol of a C,₂-C₁₈- Alcohol and 7.5 moles of ethylene oxide. The surfactants described above can be converted, for example by esterification with sulfuric acid into the corresponding sulfuric acid half esters. The sulfuric acid esters are used in the form of alkali metal or ammonium salts as anionic surfactants. Anionic surfactants, for example alkali metal or ammonium salts of Schefelsäurehalbestern of addition products of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, alkali metal or ammonium salts of alkylbenzenesulfonic acid or alkylphenols are lethersukfaten. Products of the above type are commercially available.

p0045Cationic surfactants are also suitable. Examples include the retriethanolaminester with dimethyl sufat quaternized reaction products of 6.5 mol of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of oleylamine, Distearyldimetyhlammoniumchlorid, Lauryltrimethylammoniumchlo- chloride, cetylpyridinium bromide and dimethyl sulfate quaternized stearic.

p0046The surfactants (A5) are present in the aqueous composition (A) preferably in an amount in a range of 0.01 to 15 wt .-%, particularly preferably in a range of 0.05 to 10 wt .-% and even more preferably , contained in a range of 0.1 to 5 wt .-%, each based on the weight of the aqueous composition (a).

p0047Auxiliaries (A6) stabilizers, thickeners, fillers or cell nucleators, or mixtures thereof can be used in the inventive process.

p0048Thickeners are, for example, to optimize the foam structure and to

p0049Improvement of the foam stability employed. It reached so that the

p0050Foam during crosslinking of the polymers (A2) shrinks only slightly. The thickeners are all known for this natural and synthetic see polymers which greatly increase the viscosity of an aqueous system. These can be water-swellable or water-soluble synthetic or natural polymers. Thickeners and powdered superabsorbents are suitable. A detailed overview of thickeners is found, for example, in the publications by RY Lochhead and WR Fron, Cosmetics & Toiletries,, 108, 95-135 (May 1993), and MT Clarke, JVιeological additive "in D. Laba (ed.), Jlheological Properties of Cosmetics and Toiletries ", Cosmetic Science and Technology Series, Volume 13, Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, 1993, which form a part of the disclosure.

p0051As fillers preferably chalks, bentonites, talc, silica gels or silicic acid, active charcoals, pigments such as titanium dioxide and iron oxide or mixtures thereof are used.

p0052The adjuvants (A6) are in the aqueous composition (A) preferably in an amount in a range of 0.01 to 15 wt .-%, particularly preferably in a range of 0.05 to 10 wt .-% and even more preferably , contained in a range of 0.1 to 5 wt .-%, each based on the weight of the aqueous composition (a).

p0053In a preferred embodiment of the method the aqueous composition (A) is obtained by that obtained for the post-polymerization of monomers (αl) and (α2) in an aqueous solution, preferably aqueous polymer solution, the crosslinking agent, the blowing agent and, if appropriate, the other adjuvants are added.

p0054It is according to the invention further preferred that the aqueous composition (A) has a viscosity according to ASTM D-1824/90 at 20 ° C of at least 100 mPa-s, preferably in a range of 100 to 500,000 mPa-s, and particularly preferably in a range from 500 to 5000 mPa-s. In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the composition (A) is foamed in such a way that a foam weight per liter in a range of 10 to 1000 g / 1, preferably in a range of 50 to 500 g / 1 and particularly preferably in a range of 80 to 250 g / 1 is obtained.

p0055The foaming of the aqueous composition is preferably carried out by mechanical effects, particularly shearing, particularly preferably by vigorous stirring or mixing under mixing with air. However, it is also possible according to the invention to foam the composition by dispersing an inert gas in the form of fine gas bubbles. The ingress of gas bubbles in the aqueous composition (A) is carried out for example by means of impact, shaking, stirring or Peitschvorrichtungen. Further, it is also possible to foam the composition in that gases flow out of a liquid-covered orifice or. By exploiting turbulence phenomena in flows Furthermore, the formation of lamellae on wires or screens used for this purpose. These different methods can also be combined where appropriate. Suitable inert gases are for example nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, neon and argon.

p0056The heating of the foamed composition is preferably carried out in an oven, an oven, with a hot gas stream, by infrared radiation or by Mikrowellennestrahlung.

p0057In a preferred embodiment of the process of the invention, the foamed composition before it is heated, is first converted into a shaped body. In a further preferred embodiment, the aqueous composition prior to foaming is transferred to a molded body and subsequently foamed in this molding. subsequent Heating the foamed composition in this molding can be obtained with a defined spatial structure then water, foam-like polymer structure.

p0058In a further preferred embodiment of the method the surface of the absorbent, schaumformigen polymer structure is smoothed in a further process step, preferably at least partially smoothed. Preferably the smoothing of the surface is carried out by wetting the surface with water vapor at temperatures in a range of 20 to 40 ° C, followed by calendering. By moistening and subsequent calendering the pores in the surface region of schaumformigen polymer structure are preferably only slightly compressed, but not completely closed.

p0059The invention further relates to a water-absorbent, schaumformiges polymer structure which is obtainable by the above described method.

p0060In a preferred embodiment of the reindeer obtainable by the method according to the invention water, schaumformigen polymer structure that has at least one of the following:

p0061(Schillings) a test method described herein specific AUL (absorber Bency under load) of 0.9% he NaCl solution at a load of 0.3 psi of at least 10 g / g, preferably of at least 13 g / g and more preferably of at least 16 g / g;

p0062(SS2) according to the herein described a test method specific absorption rate of more than 1 g / g / sec, preferably more than 2 g / g / sec and more preferably greater than 3 g / g / sec; (SS3) a test method described herein in accordance with the determined maximum distance sorption capacity in a range of 20 to 300 g / g, preferably in a Range of 30 to 200 g / g and particularly preferably in a range of 35 to 100 g / g;

p0063(SS4) a test method described herein certain CRC (Centrifuge Retention Capacity gradient centrifugation) in a range of 7.5 to 100 g / g, preferably in a range of 10 to 80 g / g and particularly preferably in a

p0064Range of 15 to 60 g / g;

p0065(SS5) a test method described herein certain average pore size in a range of 0.01 to 2 mm, preferably in a range of 0.1 to 1 mm and particularly preferably in a range of 0.2 to 0.5 mm;

p0066(SS6) a according to the ERT 40.3-90 test method given average basis weight in a range from 60 to 1200 g / m², Preferably in a range from 80 to 800 g / m² and particularly preferably in a range of 85 to 500 g / cm²,

p0067In the case of using the polymer structure in schaumformigen Damenhygie- nartikeln, particularly sanitary napkins, has a basis weight in the range of 60

p00689 9 to 200 g / m and preferably in the range of 80 to lOOg / m are particularly preferred.

p0069In the case of using the polymer structure in schaumformigen Bavbhygienar- cles, in particular diapers, is a basis weight in the range from 400 to 1200

p00709 9 g / m and preferably in the range of 550 to 800g / m are particularly preferred.

p0071The resulting from the above properties Eigenschaftskombinati- tion of two or more of these properties, respectively, preferred embodiments of the inventive polymer structure is furthermore as inventive embodiments are particularly preferred polymer structures, which have the properties or combinations of properties below shown as letters or combinations of letters:. Schillings , ß2, .beta.3, ß4, ß5, ß6, ßlß2, ßlß3, ßlß4, ßlß5, ßlß6, ß2ß3, ß2ß4, ß2ß5, ß2ß6, ß3ß4, ß3ß5, ß3ß6, ß4ß5, ß4ß6, ß5ß6, ßlß2ß3, ßlß2ß3ß4, ßlß2ß3ß4ß5, ßlß2ß3ß4ß5ß6.

p0072In a preferred embodiment of the reindeer obtainable by the inventive Nerfah- water, schaumformigen polymer structures, these have an open cell structure, a closed cell structure or a mixed structure of open and closed cells, but preferably an open-celled structure. Under an open cell structure is meant a structure in which between adjacent pores of the foam a Flüssigkeitsaus- exchange is possible, while in a closed cell structure, the individual pores are insulated from each other. In a mixed structure of open-cell and closed-pore fluid communication through common apertures of at least two, adjacent pores is possible between some neighboring pores, while others are isolated from each other, so that takes place between these no fluid exchange of common openings in the pores. In a preferred embodiment of the obtainable by the method erfmdungsgemäße schaumformigen polymer structures are at least 25%, preferably at least 50% and more preferably at least 75% of the pores in a fluid communication with at least one adjacent pore.

p0073The invention also relates to a water-absorbent, schaumformiges polymer structure comprising

p0074(Bl) from 10 to 99.9 wt .-%, preferably 20 to 70 wt .-% and particularly preferably 30 to 60 wt .-%, each based on the total weight of the poly mergebildes, of one or more crosslinked polymers based at least on

p0075(Γl) from 50 to 99.99 wt .-%, preferably 70 to 99.8 .-% of polymerized monoethylenically unsaturated monomers containing acid groups or salts thereof, (Γ2) 0 to 45 wt .-%, preferably 0.1 to 27 wt .-% of polymerized monoethylenically unsaturated copolymerizable with (γl) monomers, and (γ3) from 0.001 to 5 wt .-%, preferably 0.1 to 3 wt .-% of one or more crosslinkers, wherein the sum of the weight amounts (γl) to (γ3) is 100 wt .-% and at least 31.5 wt .-% of the monomers, preferably at least 50 wt .-% and particularly preferably at least 75 wt .-%, each based on the total weight of the monomers (γl) and (γ2), acrylic acid or a salt thereof,

p0076(B2) from 0.01 to 30 wt .-%, preferably 0.01 to 20 wt .-% and particularly preferably 0.1 to 10 wt .-% of one or more additives, based on the total weight of the polymer structure, and (B3) 0 to 15 wt .-%, preferably 1 to 10 wt .-% and more preferably 2 to 5 wt .-% water, based on the total weight of the polymer structure and in each case determined by the oven method according to ERT 430.1-99,

p0077wherein the sum of the amounts by weight of (Bl) to (B3) is 100 wt .-% and wherein the water, schaumformige polymer structure to (SS6) comprises at least one of the properties (SSL), the water in connection with the available by the method according to the invention, schaumformigen polymer structures have been called.

p0078As additives (B2) are preferably those mentioned in connection with the inventive method for producing a water, surfactants schaumformigen polymer structure (A5) and auxiliary (A6) include. In a preferred embodiment of the water, schaumformigen polymer structure according to the invention, this has the same characteristics that have already been mentioned in connection with the available by the erfmdungsgemäße process water, schaumformigen polymer structure.

p0079In a further preferred embodiment of the invent ungsgemäßen water, schaumformigen polymer structure as monomers (γl) and (γ2), and as crosslinking agent (γ3) those monomers (αl), (α2) or crosslinking agent (A3) is preferred, already mentioned in connection were called by the inventive process.

p0080The invention also relates to a composite comprising the polymer structures and a substrate of the invention, schaumformige. It is preferred that the inventive schaumformige polymer structure and the substrate are fixed to each other. Substrates films of polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyamide, metals, nonwovens, fluff, tissues, wovens, natural or synthetic fibers, or other foams are preferred.

p0081As described in connection with the method according to the invention, foamed composition having a long pot life, it can be applied for example to a substrate. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a composite comprising the inventive water-absorbing, schaumformige polymer structure and a substrate, wherein the one described in connection with the method according to the invention foamed composition with at least part of the surface of a substrate is brought into contact and with the foamed composition substrate then brought into contact at a temperature in a range of 50 to 300^°C., preferably a range from 100 to 250 ° C is heated achieved, so that, preferably, whereby the polymers (A2) at least partially crosslinked, the content of water (AI) to a maximum of 15 wt .-%, preferably by at most 10 wt .-% and particularly preferably at most 5 wt .-%, each based on the total weight of the resulting, schaumformigen polymer structure and each determined the oven method according to ERT 430.1-99, is used and the resulting, schaumformige polymer structure is immobilized on at least a portion of the substrate surface (1 method).

p0082In a preferred embodiment of this method according to the invention is carried out the contacting of the foamed composition to the substrate surface by applying the composition, preferably by brushing, knife coating or pouring, to the substrate surface in a 0.1 to 10 mm, preferably in a 1 to 8 mm and particularly preferably in a 2-4 mm thick layer. It is inventively further preferred that the foamed composition is applied in defined areas, for example through the use of templates or seven, on the substrate. In a further preferred embodiment of this process, the foamed composition is applied to fluff layers and the fluff layers thus impregnated with the foamed composition so that the fluff after crosslinking is an integral part of the foam. Suitable substrates in connection with this process films of polymers, such as ethylene from polyethylene, polypropylene or polyamide, metals, nonwovens, fluff, tissues, wovens, natural or synthetic fibers, or other foams are preferred.

p0083A composite can comprising forming the water, schaumformige polymer structure also can be obtained in that at least a part of the surface of the water, schaumformigen polymer structure contacted with at least a portion of the surface of a substrate in contact and the polymer structure is then immobilized on at least part of the substrate surface (2nd process). The water, polymer structure schaumformige image can thereby in the form of polymer structures with defined three-dimensional structure as described in connection with the method for producing a water, schaumformigen polymer structure according to the invention, can be used. However, it is also possible to cut the polymer structures with defined spatial structure of larger blocks of the polymer structure or auszusägen.

p0084In a preferred embodiment of this method, the immobilization of the polymer structure on the substrate surface is carried out by at least one of the following method steps:

p0085(.DELTA.L) Pressing together the substrate and the water-absorbing, schaumformigen polymer structure with a specific pressure of at least 0.1 N / cm, preferably of at least 0.5 N / cm and more preferably of at least 1 N / cm or pressing together of the substrate and the foam - fδrmigen polymer structure with a pressure of at least 0.1 N / cm², Preferably of at least 0.5 N / cm²and particularly preferably of at least 1 N / cm²; (Δ2) heating the placed with the schaumformigen polymer structures into contact substrate to a temperature in a range of 50 to 300 ° C, preferably a range of 100 to 250 ° C.

p0086Preferred embodiments of this process are processes which are characterized by the following method steps or combinations of steps .DELTA.L, 62, δlδ2. The conditions of the method steps .DELTA.L, 52 are preferably selected so that the foam structure is not destroyed the o- after treatment according to the method described above may form again.

p0087In a preferred embodiment of this inventive method carried immobilizing the inventive water-absorbing polymer structure schaumformigen on the substrate surface by calendering or by ironing the accommodated with the polymer structure into contact substrate. Preferably, a protective layer on the side of the substrate, which is not in contact with the polymer structure down. As substrates associated with this process are thermoplastic sheet material, preferably at least partially fusible sheet, such as polyethylene films, preferably.

p0088It is inventively further preferred that at least two layers of the water, schaumformigen polymer structure and at least two substrate layers containing available through the fiction, contemporary method for producing a composite sandwich structures by in a first step, a from the water, schaumför- shaped Polymergbilde ( PL) and a substrate (SI) existing composite either prepared according to the first or second method, in a second process step, a layer of the foamed composition to that surface of the substrate (SI) corresponding to the contact area between the polymer structure (Pl) and the substrate (SI) opposite brought into contact and, as described in the first method, immobilized to form a water-absorbing, schaumformigen polymer structure (P2) and in a third method step, the one surface of the water, schaumformigen polymer structure (P2) corresponding to the area of ​​contact between polymer structure (P2) and the substrate (SI) is opposed to and brought into contact, as described in the second method, on the substrate (S2) immobilized. These process steps can, depending on the number of layers desired, be repeated as often.

p0089The invention also relates to the composites obtained by the method for producing a composite according to the invention. Among these fibers, in particular special fluff containing composites sandwich structures preferred which can be used as core in hygiene products.

p0090Furthermore Applies the present invention the use of the inventive water-absorbing polymer structures schaumformigen or the laminates of the invention in chemical products. The chemical products are preferably fibers, sheets, films, cables, sealing materials, liquid hygiene products, wound dressings, carriers for plant and fungus growth regulating agents, additives for building materials, packaging materials and soil additives.

p0091The invention also relates to chemical products comprising water, schaumformigen polymer structures according to the invention or composites of the invention. Preferred chemical products, fibers, sheets, films, cables, sealing materials, liquid toiletries, Wundab- covers, carriers for plant and fungus growth regulating agents, additives for building materials, packaging materials and soil additives.

p0092Among the above-mentioned chemical products Hygiene articles are preferred. Among these in turn are sanitary napkins, baby diapers, adult Inkontinentzartikel, as diapers are particularly preferred.

p0093In an inventively particularly preferred embodiment, the composite is a diaper. Here are the components of the diaper, which are different from the absorbent, schaumformigen polymer structures according to the invention, the substrate of the composite. In a preferred embodiment, the diaper comprises an above-described core. In this case, different from the core components of the diaper provide the substrate of the composite. In general, a composite used as a diaper comprises a water-impermeable backsheet, a water-permeable, preferably hydrophobic, upper class and the inventive absorbent polymer schaumformige fabric-containing layer which is disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet. This the erfmdungsgemäße absorbent, schaumformige polymer structure-containing layer is preferably an above-described core. The backsheet may comprise any material known in the art, wherein polyethylene or polypropylene are preferred. The upper layer can likewise contain all known to the expert and appropriate materials, polyesters, polyolefins, viscose and the like are preferred, which give a sufficiently porous layer to ensure an adequate liquid permeability of the upper. In this connection to the disclosure in US 5,061,295, US Re. 26,151, US 3,592,194, US 3,489,148 and US 3,860,003 referenced. These disclosures are incorporated herein by reference and are thus part of the disclosure.

p0094The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to non-limiting tests and examples.

TEST METHODS

DETERMINATION OF FOAM LITER WEIGHT

p0097To this end, a predetermined amount of composition (A) in a 1 1 measuring cylinder of known weight was foamed up to the 1 1 brand.

DETERMINATION OF ABSORPTION UNDER LOAD (AUL)

p0099To determine the liquid absorption under load (AUL), 160 mg of the water, schaumformigen polymer structure, which corresponded to the dimensions of the plastic cylinder, weighed into a plastic cylinder with sieve fabric at the bottom and loaded with a defined weight which a Pressure of 0.3 psi on the polymer structure exerts. The cylinder unit is weighed and placed on a filter paper covered with 0.9% NaCl solution-soaked filter plate. The filter plate is up to its upper edge in the liquid. Supernatant liquid is to be avoided and to control the liquid level after 20 and 40 minutes. After a soak time of 1 hour we reweighed the cylinder unit and is calculated from the amount weighed, the AUL. The AUL is defined as the absorbed per gram of polymer structure weight amount of NaCl solution.

DETERMINATION OF ABSORPTION SPEED

p0101To determine the rate of absorption of water, schaumformigen polymer structure a round test is from the polymer structure surface of the diameter punched 40 mm and weighed. 5 g of a stained with methylene blue 0.9% sodium chloride solution are weighed and precisely placed on a white backing in a Petri dish of diameter 60 mm. The test area is dropped vertically into the filled with the solution petri dish from a height of 10 mm. The time from the instant of meeting up the test area on the liquid surface up to the point at which the liquid was completely absorbed by the test surface is stopped. It is carried out a fivefold determination and / specify the recording speed of the fabric in g / g sec.

DETERMINATION OF MAXIMUM ABSORPTION CAPACITY

p0103To determine the maximum absorption capacity of the water, schaumformigen polymer structure a 0.9% NaCl solution was used. From a water, schaumformigen polymer structure a piece of the polymer structure is stamped with a weight of about 1 g and set a thickness of about 1 to 5 mm, weighed (Wl) and in a teabag welded. The teabag is placed for 30 minutes in the test solution and by a drain time of 10 minutes, weighed (W2). One tea bag without water-absorbing polymer, which is also placed in the test solution and its weight is also determined after draining (W3) can be used as blank. The maximum absorption capacity was determined in g / g and calculated as follows:

p0104CRC - value = _ "2

W

p0106DETERMINATION OF CENTRIFUGA TION RETENTION CAEP acity (CRC)

p0107To determine the retention of the structure schaumformigen the tea bag test was carried out. The test solution a 0.9% NaCl solution was used. From a water, schaumformigen polymer structure a piece of the polymer structure is stamped with a weight of about 1 g, and sealed a thickness of about 1 to 5 mm, weighed (Wl) and in a teabag. The teabag is placed for 30 minutes in the test solution and then spun in a centrifuge (23 cm in diameter, 1,400 rpm) for 3 minutes and weighed again (W2). One tea bag without water-absorbing polymer, its weight is also determined after spinning (W3) can be used as blank. The CRC value has been indicated in g / g and calculated as follows:

p0108CRC - value = ² ' ³ W

p0109DETERMINATION OF MEAN pore size

p0110The average pore size was determined in the different means of a magnifying glass and a ruler, the diameter of about 100 pores of a re- was determined laxierten sectional area of ​​schaumformigen polymer structure and formed from the thus obtained measurements of the mean. This determination was repeated at 10-sectional areas. The average of these averages corresponding to the average pore size.

DETERMINING THE MEAN PORE DENSITY

p0112The average pore density was determined, in which the number of recognizable in this area pores was determined by means of a magnifying glass and a ruler in an area of ​​1 cm 1 cm of the surface of a polymer structure schaumformigen. For this purpose, the number of pores was determined in a total of about 10 areas and calculated from the thus obtained measured values ​​of the average value. This corresponds to the average pore density of the different pore diameter of about 20 has been measured and determined from the thus obtained measured values ​​of the average value. This mean value corresponds to the average pore size.

EXAMPLES

p0114example 1

p0115Preparation of a polyacrylic acid, 3.5% Na-neutralized, molecular weight about 120,000 g / mol).

p0116weights:

p0117225.74 g of acrylic acid

p01188.79 g of 50% strength sodium hydroxide solution wässiger

p0119677,00 g deionised water

p01200.66 g Mercaptoethanol 1.17 g of 6% aqueous ascorbic acid 8.34 g of 35% aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution

p01216.00 g 20% ​​aqueous hydroxylamine

p0122In a flange flask acrylic acid, sodium hydroxide and 477.00 g deionized water are added. An hour of nitrogen through the solution and heated to 30 ° C. While stirring Mercaptoethanol, ascorbic acid and 1.45 g of hydrogen peroxide solution are added and the solution temperature rises to about 85 ° C. Allow to stir for 30 min at a bath temperature of 80 ° C and then 6.00 g Hydroxylaminhydrochloridlö- solution and 6.89 g of hydrogen peroxide solution added. The heating bath is turned off, and 200.00 g deionized water was added so that an aqueous 25% polymer solution.

p0123example 2

p0124Preparing an acrylic acid-hydroxyethyl methacrylate copolymer, neutralized 3.5% Na, molecular weight about 145,000 g / mol.

p0125weights:

p0126217.72 g of acrylic acid

p01278.03 g of hydroxyethyl methacrylate

p01288.48 g of 50% strength sodium hydroxide solution wässiger

p0129677,00 g deionised water 0.66 g mercaptoethanol

p01301.17 g of 6% aqueous ascorbic acid

p01318.34 g of 35% aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution

p01326.00 g 20% ​​aqueous hydroxylamine In a flange flask acrylic acid, and sodium hydroxide are added to Hydroxyethlymethacrylat 477.00 g deionized water. An hour of nitrogen through the solution and heated to 30 ° C. While stirring Mercaptoethanol, ascorbic acid and 1.45 g hydrogen peroxide solutions are added solution, after which the solution temperature rises to about 100 ° C. The mixture is left for 2 hours at a bath temperature of 80 ° C and stirring are then added 6.00 g of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and 6.89 g of hydrogen peroxide solution, and takes a further hour at a bath temperature of 80 ° C stirring. The heating bath is turned off, and 200.00 g deionized water was added so that an aqueous 25% polymer solution.

p0133example 3

p0134Producing a Acrylsaure- butyl acrylate copolymer, 3.5% Na-neutralized, molecular weight about 420,000 g / mol.

p0135weights:

p0136213.97 g of acrylic acid, 11.77 g butyl acrylate

p01378.34 g of 50% sodium hydroxide wässiger

p0138677,00 g deionised water

p01390.44 g mercaptoethanol

p01401.17 g of 6% aqueous ascorbic acid 7.15 g of 35% aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution

p01416.00 g 20% ​​aqueous hydroxylamine

p0142In a flange flask acrylic acid and sodium hydroxide are used in

p0143added 477.00 g of deionized water. An hour of nitrogen through the solution and heated to 30 ° C. While stirring, mercaptoethanol, Ascorbic acid and 1.24 g hydrogen peroxide solution, and at the same time dropped within three minutes of butyl acrylate. The solution temperature rises rapidly to about 96 ° C. The mixture is left for 2 hours at a bath temperature of 80 ° C and stirring are then added 6.00 g of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and 5.91 g of hydrogen peroxide solution, and takes a further hour at a bath temperature of 80 ° C stirring. The heating bath is turned off, and 200.00 g deionized water was added so that an aqueous, highly viscous 25% polymer solution.

p0144example 4

p0145Inventive producing water, schaumformigen polymer structure.

p014633.35 g of polymer of Example 1

p01470.4g Stokal SR (Brothers Langenfeld, Krefeld)

p01480.5 g potassium

p01490.5 g glucopon 225 CS UP (Henkel KGaA, Dusseldorf) 12, 18 g 9.71% sodium hydroxide

p015016.71 g 15.34% potassium hydroxide solution

p01510, 15 g Denacol Ex 810 (Nagase Kaseikogyo, Japan)

p01528.22 g of citric acid monohydrate

p01534.0 g ethylene carbonate

p0154are added together and pitched by a Krupp 3 Mix device for three minutes. The resulting foam is spread on an area of ​​0.1 m ^ and a height of 0.2 cm and 15 min heated drying oven in Umlufttro- at 220 ° C. The resulting structure has the following characteristics: Table 1

p0155<img id="imgf000036_0001" he="32" wi="124" file="imgf000036_0001.tif" img-format="tif" img-content="table" orientation="portrait" inline="no" />

p0156example 5

p0157Inventive producing water, schaumformigen polymer structure.

p0158become water 33.35 g copolymer processed schaumformigen polymer structures analogous to Example 4. FIG. The preparation of the copolymer is carried out analogously to Example 1, wherein in the shown in the table 2 molar ratio of the corresponding portion has been replaced with acrylic acid by comonomer.

p0159Table 2

p0160<img id="imgf000037_0001" he="167" wi="140" file="imgf000037_0001.tif" img-format="tif" img-content="table" orientation="portrait" inline="no" />

p0161AS = acrylic acid

p0162BA = butyl acrylate

p0163HEMA = Hydroxyethylmethacrylsäure

p0164PEG = polyethylene glycol monoallyl ether MAE example 6

p0165Inventive producing water, schaumformigen polymer structure. become water 33.35 g copolymer processed schaumformigen polymer structures analogous to Example 4. FIG. The preparation of the copolymer occurs analogously to Example 2, having been adjusted to the specified arising in Table 3 molar ratio.

p0166Table 3

p0167<img id="imgf000038_0001" he="138" wi="148" file="imgf000038_0001.tif" img-format="tif" img-content="table" orientation="portrait" inline="yes" /> AS = acrylic acid BA = butyl acrylate HEMA = Hydroxyethylmethacrylsäure PEG MAE = polyethylene glycol monoallyl ether

p0168example 7

p0169Producing water, schaumformigen polymer structure. Two polymers, prepared analogously to Example 2, are mixed in the specified in Table 4 used ratio and processed analogously to Example 4. FIG.

p0170Table 4

p0171<img id="imgf000039_0001" he="122" wi="149" file="imgf000039_0001.tif" img-format="tif" img-content="table" orientation="portrait" inline="yes" />

p0172AS = acrylic acid BA = butyl acrylate HEMA = Hydroxyethylmethacrylsäure PEG MAE = polyethylene glycol monoallyl ether

p0173example 8

p0174Inventive producing water, schaumformigen polymer structure with alternative crosslinkers. The polymer is prepared analogously to Example 2, after initiation of the polymerization of butyl acrylate is added dropwise within 3 minutes. The production of water, schaumformigen polymer structure like Example 4. Varies is Denacol Ex 810 against the Calculation Table 5 crosslinkers.

p0175Table 5

p0176<img id="imgf000040_0001" he="93" wi="142" file="imgf000040_0001.tif" img-format="tif" img-content="table" orientation="portrait" inline="yes" /> example 9

p0177Inventive producing water, schaumformigen polymer structure. be 33.35 g copolymer (97 mol of acrylic acid: 3 mol butyl acrylate) Example 4 processed to form a water-absorbing polymer structures schaumformigen.

p0178Table 6 maximum CRC AUL Absorptions¬

p0179Absorption [g / g] (0.3 psi) speed capacity [g / g] [g / g / sec]

p0180[G / g]

p018135.3 11.4 17.5 2.09

p0182example 10

p0183The preparation according to the invention of a polymer structure of an acrylic acid-butyl acrylate copolymer (97 mol: 3 mol) prepared according to Example 3, but reduced in amount of mercaptoethanol to 0.22 g. processed 33.35 g copolymer to a water-absorbent, schaumformigen polymer structures analogous to Example 4. FIG.

p0184Table 7

p0185<img id="imgf000041_0001" he="39" wi="107" file="imgf000041_0001.tif" img-format="tif" img-content="table" orientation="portrait" inline="no" /> example 11

p0186The preparation according to the invention of a polymer structure from an acrylic polymer prepared according to Example 1, but with reduced amount of mercaptoethanol at 0.44 g. processed 33.35 g copolymer to a water-absorbent, schaumformigen polymer structures analogous to Example 4. FIG.

p0187Table 8 maximum CRC AUL Absorptions¬

p0188Absorption [g / g] (0.3 psi) speed capacity [gg] [g / g / sec]

p0189[G / g]

p019044.0 14.3 15.4 6.94

p0191example 12

p0192The preparation according to the invention of a polymer structure from an acrylic polymer prepared according to Example 1, but reduced in amount of mercaptoethanol at 0.22 g. processed 33.35 g copolymer to a water-absorbent, schaumformigen polymer structures analogous to Example 4. FIG.

p0193Table 9 maximum CRC AUL Absorptions¬

p0194Absorption [g / g] (0.3 psi) speed capacity [g / g] [g / g / sec]

p0195[G / g]

p019632.1 9.6 17.3 5.66 example 13

p0197According to the invention producing a water, schaumformigen polymer structure from an acrylic acid-butyl acrylate copolymer (97 mol: 3 mol) with alternative crosslinking agents. The polymer of Example 3 is used. The preparation of the structure like Example 4. Replaced is Denacol EX810 against the Calculation Table crosslinkers.

p0198Table 10

p0199<img id="imgf000043_0001" he="77" wi="139" file="imgf000043_0001.tif" img-format="tif" img-content="table" orientation="portrait" inline="no" />

p0200example 14

p0201According to the invention producing a water, schaumformigen polymer structure from an acrylic acid polymer, prepared according to Example 1, but whereby in the amount of mercaptoethanol reduced to 0.44 g. The preparation of the structure like Example 4. Replaced is Denacol Ex 810 against the Calculation Table crosslinkers. Table 11

p0202<img id="imgf000044_0001" he="93" wi="140" file="imgf000044_0001.tif" img-format="tif" img-content="table" orientation="portrait" inline="yes" />

p0203example 15

p0204zen invention producing water, schaumformigen polymer structure of acrylic acid polymers with different Tensidzusät-.

p020533.35 g of polymer of Example 1

p02060.4g Stokal SR

p0207indicated 0.5 g of surfactant, as in Table

p020833.42 g 15.34% potassium hydroxide solution

p02090.15 g Denacol Ex 810 8.22 g Citric acid, 0 g of ethylene carbonate are added together and pitched by a Krupp 3 Mix device for three minutes. The resulting foam is spread on an area of ​​0.1 m ^ and a height of 0.2 cm and 15 min heated drying oven in Umlufttro- at 220 ° C.

p0210The resulting polymer structure has the following characteristics:

p0211Table 12

p0212<img id="imgf000045_0001" he="93" wi="127" file="imgf000045_0001.tif" img-format="tif" img-content="table" orientation="portrait" inline="no" />

p0213example 16

p0214According to the invention producing a water, schaumformigen polymer structure of acrylic acid polymer with a water-impermeable back side.

p021533.35 g of polymer of Example 1 0.4 g Stokal SR 0.5 g potassium

p02160.5 g glucopon 225 CS UP (Henkel, Dusseldorf)

p021712.18 g 9.71% sodium hydroxide

p021816.71 g 15.34% potassium hydroxide solution

p02190.15 g Denacol Ex 810

p02208.22 g of citric acid monohydrate

p02214.0 g ethylene carbonate

p02221.00 Estekoll HL 50/200

p02231, 00 Saφifan PA 308 A (Stockhausen GmbH &amp; Co. KG, Krefeld)

p0224are added together and pitched by a Krupp 3 Mix device for three minutes. The resulting foam is spread on an area of ​​0.1 m ^ and a height of 0.2 cm and 15 min heated drying oven in Umlufttro- at 220 ° C. The polymer structure obtained is placed on a polyethylene film (PE film) and ironed between siliconized paper strip for 10 minutes with an iron until the full adhesion of the structure to the film.

p0225Table 13

p0226<img id="imgf000046_0001" he="62" wi="126" file="imgf000046_0001.tif" img-format="tif" img-content="table" orientation="portrait" inline="no" /> example 17

p0227100 g of a foam produced according to Example 4 were uniformly sprayed with a solution of 15 g water and 1.5 g of ethylene carbonate. After the ethylene carbonate solution was uniformly distributed in the foam over an hour, loaded with ethylene foam was post-crosslinked for 60 minutes at 180 ° C and dried. This gave a nachvemetzter foam properties according to Table 14th

p0228Table 14

p0229<img id="imgf000047_0001" he="32" wi="124" file="imgf000047_0001.tif" img-format="tif" img-content="table" orientation="portrait" inline="no" />