Water crystal gel or water beads or gel beads is any gel which absorbs and contains a large amount of water. Water gel is usually in spherical form and composed of a water-absorbing superabsorbent polymer (SAP, also known as slush powder in dry form) such as a polyacrylamide (frequently sodium polyacrylate).
Uses
editWater gels are used for:
- Supplying water to small animals as an alternative to supplying water in a dish. Some small animals tend to fall into dishes of water and drown.[citation needed]
- Watering or potting plants.[1]
- In vases of cut flowers
- Use in gardens to save water.
- Used as ammunition for gel blaster toy guns. Usually came in 7–8 mm when full size.
- Colorful decorations or artificial snow.[2]
- In a dry state as absorbent filler inside disposable diapers and sanitary napkins.
- Proposed for controlling or containing floods.[3]
See also
edit- Superabsorbent polymer (further uses, chemical and physical details)
- Sodium polyacrylate (more uses and details)
- Potassium polyacrylate (more uses and details)
- Polyacrylamide (more uses and details)
- Orbeez (a commercial toy utilizing this technology)
References
edit- ^ "Water-retaining granules / RHS Gardening". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
- ^ "Snow and ice: How do you make fake snow?". independent. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
- ^ "11-year-old designs a better sandbag, named 'America's Top Young Scientist'". NBC News. Retrieved 2022-09-25.