Superabsorbent water-resistant coatings for fiber-reinforced articles

Abstract

A coating composition for forming a water-resistant coating on fiber-reinforced articles such as rods or cables. The composition comprises an aqueous solution of a superabsorbent water-soluble polymer, a viscosity modifying agent, and optionally a lubricant. The coating formed by applying the composition effectively prevents the treated surface from water-permeation damage by absorbing water that contacts the layer containing the superabsorbent component.

1 . A method of forming a superabsorbent, water-resistant coating on the surface of an article comprising: 
 a) preparing an aqueous liquid coating composition comprising: a water-soluble superabsorbent polymer precursor in aqueous solution, a binder in aqueous solution, an optional viscosity-modifying agent, and an optional lubricant;    b) applying said liquid coating composition to the surface of the article to form a liquid coating; and    c) drying and curing the liquid coating composition on the surface of the article to form a water-absorbing, water-resistant coating of superabsorbent polymer that absorbs water when it is wetted and desorbs water when it is dried.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of applying the liquid coating composition to the surface of the article comprises contacting the liquid coating composition with the surface of the article to form a layer of liquid coating over the entire surface of the article.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polymer precursor is selected from the group consisting of anionic alkali salts and alkali metal salts of said superabsorbent polymer precursor.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said polymer precursor is a polyacrylate polymer precursor.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said binder is a film-forming binder.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said binder is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyurethanes, epoxies, latex and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said viscosity-modifying agent is a polyacrylamide.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said step of preparing said aqueous liquid coating composition further includes adding at least one wetting agent.