EQUILIBRIUM AND DYNAMIC SWELLING OF POLYACRYLATES

Polyacrylates were prepared by solution polymerization of partially ne utralized acrylic acid at 37 degrees C. The swelling behavior of the p olyacrylates was examined using equilibrium and dynamic swelling studi es. Equilibrium swelling studies in deionized water were used to deter mine the molecular weight between crosslinks using the Flory-Rehner th eory. The amount of crosslinking agent incorporated into the network w as a function of the nominal crosslinking ratio. Dynamic swelling stud ies in saline solutions were used to investigate the initial swelling rate for the polyacrylates. Swelling studies of the polyacrylates in s aline solutions under load were used to elucidate the degree of swelli ng under load, the compliance, and sample elasticity.