Cables such as optical fiber cables including superabsorbent polymeric materials which are temperature and salt tolerant

摘要

A cable (20) includes a waterblocking member (29) which includes a superabsorbent polymer. The superabsorbent polymer includes an ionic constituent which is characterized in that its solubility product is substantially higher than that of carboxylate and in that it has a lower reaction rate for forming an anhydride than does carboxylate. The ionic constitutent may be selected from the group consisting of sulfate, sulfonate and phosphate and also includes a counter ion. Other constituents may include a carboxylate and a non-ionic group constituent. The superabsorbent polymer is such that the amount of crosslinking is sufficient to avoid the polymer going into solution, but is not so much as to affect adversely the water absorbency of the waterblocking member. Further, the superabsorbent polymer is much more salt tolerant and temperature tolerant than are prior art superabsorbent polymers.