Sodium polyacrylate also named acrylic sodium salt polymer or simply ASAP (repeating unit: -CH2-CH(CO2Na)- ) is a crosslinked acrylic acid polymer sodium salt, invented by Robert Niles Bashaw, Bobby Leroy Atkins and Billy Gene Harper in the Basic Research Laboratory of the Dow Chemical Company. Polymers were produced which absorbed up to 1,000 times their weight in distilled water (gel capacity) and are called polyelectrolytes. These polymers are referred to as "Super Absorbents" and "Water Crystals". Acrylic acid or prop-2-enoic acid is a chemical compound with the formula C3H4O2 and structure (which is sometimes abbreviated as CH2=CHCOOH). ... The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW TYO: 4850 ) is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Midland, Michigan. ... A polymer (from Greek: πολυ, polu, many; and μέρος, meros, part) is a substance composed of molecules with large molecular mass composed of repeating structural units, or monomers, connected by covalent chemical bonds. ... Polyelectrolytes combine the properties of electrolytes (salts) and polymers (high MW compounds). ...

When dry, the polymer appears as a white powder and when in gel form it is a transparent slush/gel. It is used in diapers, bed pads, fire control, spray drift control, seed germination, soil conditioning,period pads, and hydroponics. It is hard water and salt sensitive in that dissolved minerals greatly reduce the absorption capacity of the gel. Other high-gelling capacity crosslinked salts of polyacrylic acid include potassium, lithium, and ammonium salts. In optical filters and theatrical lighting a color gel is a transparent or translucent colored panel used to change the color of transmitted light. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Training pants. ... NASA researcher checking hydroponic onions with Bibb lettuce to his left and radishes to the right Example of Autotrophic Metabolism [1] Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions instead of soil. ... Hard water water that has a high mineral content (water with a low mineral content is known as soft water). ... General Name, Symbol, Number potassium, K, 19 Chemical series alkali metals Group, Period, Block 1, 4, s Appearance silvery white Standard atomic weight 39. ... General Name, Symbol, Number lithium, Li, 3 Chemical series alkali metals Group, Period, Block 1, 2, s Appearance silvery white/grey Standard atomic weight 6. ...

Sodium polyacrylate is also used in many industrial applications, as a thickening agent, as an aid for dissolving soaps, as a spill absorbing media in laminated structures from urine test kits to nuclear waste cleanup and in thin tape structures used in cables for longitudinal water blocking.

It is also used, under the colloquial name of water crystals, as a water storage agent for soils, in that it soaks up excess water and discharges it when the soil becomes drier. Its use in dry countries is increasing, as people use it to avoid watering the garden with drinkable water.

If women using tampons containing these absorbent polymers do not replace them daily, they may cause biological growth that can affect their health, with Toxic Shock Syndrome. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but potentially fatal disease caused by a bacterial toxin. ...

One variation can be found for sale online as "magicsnowpowder" It is also used in the movie industry for set decoration.

Exposure of Sodium Polyacrylate in powder or gel form to Alcohol will turn the chemical a deep magenta color until the Alcohol evaporates.

See also

• Polyacrylamide, a similar material
• Snow Powder Christmas Instant Snow

to watch a video of how it in action go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QK73T-pZgY Polyacrylamide is an acrylate polymer formed from acrylamide subunits that is readily cross-linked. ...

External links

• Chemistry.org - Sodium Polyacrylate
• The use of - Sodium Polyacrylate in disposable diapers
• disposable diaper article which mentions the TSS connection