FLUID-ABSORBENT COMPOSITIONS AND ARTICLES, POROUS ARTICLES, AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME

摘要

This invention provides, in several aspects, fluid-absorbent compositions and articles (such as films, sheets, fibers, foams, nonwovens, or molded articles), and methods for making the same, wherein small superabsorbent particles are incorporated into particular matrix-polymers. Upon contact with a fluid (such as water or saline), the particles exposed to the fluid swell and percolate out of the composition or article and expose other particles to the fluid. In another aspect, this invention provides elastic, porous articles (such as films or membranes) made from the above-described articles (using elastic matrix-polymers) by contacting that article with fluid to percolate at least a portion of the absorbent particles out of the article, thereby creating a plurality of pores in the residual elastic matrix-polymer. The articles of this invention are useful in many end-use applications, such as packaging, hygiene, construction, agriculture, membrane, medical, and other end-use applications.