We unleash your business potential by maximize the business innovation.
Send EmailPotassium Polyacrylate, Super Absorbent Polymer, SAP, 25608-12-2
1. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Potassium Polyacrylate (Super Absorbent Polymer - SAP) |
| Chemical Family | Cross-linked potassium salt of polyacrylic acid |
| Appearance | White granules or powder |
| CAS Number | 25608-12-2 |
| Molecular Formula | (C₃H₃KO₂)n |
2. TYPICAL PROPERTIES
| Parameter | Typical Value / Range | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Particle Size | 0.2 – 1.0 mm (or specified mesh range) | Available as powder, fine granule, or coarse granule depending on application. |
| Moisture Content (%) | ≤ 5% | Low moisture in dried product. |
| pH (0.1% gel) | 6.0 – 8.0 | Near neutral; soil and plant friendly. |
| Bulk Density (g/cm³) | 0.55 – 0.80 | Volumetric weight of the packaged product. |
| Absorption in Distilled Water (g/g) | Min. 300 – 500 g/g | Can absorb up to 300–500 times its own weight in distilled/deionized water. |
| Absorption in 0.9% NaCl Solution (g/g) | Min. 45 – 60 g/g | Indicates performance in saline or liquid fertilizer environments. |
| Gel Strength (Intra-particle) | High | Mechanical stability of the swollen gel; resists breakdown under soil pressure. |
| Residual Monomer (ppm) | ≤ 300 | Within safety limits. |
3. MAIN APPLICATION AREAS
Agriculture & Horticulture: Mixed into soil to store water and plant nutrients (especially potassium) and release them in a controlled manner.
Afforestation & Landscaping: Applied to the root zone during seedling planting to increase survival rates.
Liquid Waste Management: Solidification of aqueous sludges and medical waste.
Hygiene Products: Absorbent core in baby diapers and adult incontinence products.
Industrial: Water-blocking in submarine cable armoring, cooling gel packs, artificial snow.
4. RECOMMENDED DOSAGE
The application rate must be adjusted according to soil type, plant species, and climatic conditions. The values below are general recommendations:
| Application Method | Soil Type | Recommended Dosage (per m³ of soil) |
|---|---|---|
| Field Crops (dry conditions) | Sandy, permeable | 1.5 – 2.5 kg/m³ |
| Field Crops (dry conditions) | Loamy, clayey | 1.0 – 1.5 kg/m³ |
| Fruit Tree / Sapling Planting (per hole) | General | 50 – 150 grams (thoroughly mixed into the root zone) |
| Potted & Greenhouse Plants | Peat, mixes | 1.0 – 2.0 kg/m³ |
| Turf / Lawn Establishment | General | 50 – 80 g/m² (mixed into 5–15 cm depth) |
Important Notice: The product must be thoroughly mixed into the soil depth (e.g., 10–20 cm). If left on the surface, it may cause slippery conditions or plant heaving upon swelling.
5. SAFETY AND HANDLING
Hazard Classification: Not classified as a hazardous substance under current regulations.
Risk Phrases: May cause mild irritation on contact with skin and eyes. Inhalation of dust may cause mechanical discomfort.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Use safety glasses and a dust mask when handling; wear gloves to avoid skin contact.
Slip Hazard Warning: Forms an extremely slippery gel layer when spilled on wet floors. In case of spillage, sweep up dry; do not use water.
First Aid:
Eyes: Rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.
Skin: Wash with soap and water.
Ingestion: If accidentally swallowed, rinse mouth with water and drink plenty of water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
6. PACKAGING AND STORAGE
Packaging: Double-layered moisture-barrier bags (inner PE, outer kraft paper or PP woven); available in 1 kg, 5 kg, and 25 kg packages.
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area with packaging tightly closed. Keep strictly away from moisture, water, and heat sources.
Shelf Life: 24 months from the date of manufacture in unopened original packaging under appropriate storage conditions.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this document is given in good faith based on our current knowledge and experience. As all usage conditions are beyond our control, this does not constitute a binding specification or guarantee. It is the user's responsibility to test suitability for their specific application.
Since potassium polyacrylate is a cross-linked polymer, its performance is defined not by a single molecular weight but by particle size (mesh range) , which determines absorption speed, gel strength, and the risk of gel blocking.
| Particle Size (Mesh) | Physical Form | Absorption Speed | Gel Strength | Suitable Sectors & Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - 5 mm (Coarse Granules) | Irregular large particles | Slow but very high capacity | Very High | Agriculture (Afforestation/Landscaping): Best form for preventing soil compaction. Ideal for slow release. Also suitable for waste solidification. |
| 0.2 - 1.0 mm (Standard Granules) | Uniform crystal-like appearance | Medium-High | High | General Agriculture & Horticulture: The most balanced and widely used form for field crops, greenhouses, pots, and lawns. Suitable for mechanical planting. |
| < 0.2 mm (Fine Powder) | Powder consistency | Very Fast (risk of clumping) | Low-Medium | Hygiene Products: Used in baby/adult diapers mixed with cellulose for rapid absorption. Industrial: Cable water-blocking tapes and instant solidification sprays. |
| 30 - 50 Mesh (Medium-Fine) | Milled granules | Controlled Fast | Medium | Artificial Snow / Potted Plants: Instantly forms decorative, transparent gel beads when water is added. |
This chemical is referred to by various names depending on the industry and intended use:
Chemical / Generic Names:
Potassium Polyacrylate (IUPAC)
Cross-linked Potassium Polyacrylate
Polyacrylic Acid, Potassium Salt
Potassium SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer)
Commercial / Sectoral Names:
In Agriculture: Water Retaining Polymer, Agri-Gel, Rain Gel, Hydrogel, Solid Rain
In Hygiene: Super Absorbent (SAP)
In Daily Life: Water Beads, Artificial Snow, Crystal Soil
A. Subsoil Application in Agriculture (Field/Garden)
The most critical point is to mix the product dry into the root zone homogeneously with the soil.
Dosage Calculation:
Sandy soil: 2.0 - 2.5 kg / m³ of soil
Loamy soil: 1.5 - 2.0 kg / m³ of soil
Clay soil: 1.0 - 1.5 kg / m³ of soil
Pre-Mixing: In a container, mix the dry polymer with 5-10 times its volume of dry soil to create a "pre-mix." This prevents clumping.
Application: Spread this pre-mix over the planting area at a depth of 15-20 cm and work the soil to ensure homogeneous distribution.
Irrigation: Immediately after application, water generously until the soil is fully saturated. Once the polymer has swollen, you can water the plants much less frequently than normal.
B. Sapling / Tree Planting Recipe (Pit Method)
Place a small amount of loose soil at the bottom of the planting hole.
Dosage: Thoroughly mix 50 – 150 g of dry polymer per sapling with all the soil excavated from the hole.
After placing the sapling in the hole, fill around the roots with this mixture.
Important: Never allow the roots to come into direct contact with pure, dry granules; even when using pre-swollen gel, do not place excessive amounts right at the root collar.
C. Potted / Balcony Plant Recipe
Method 1 (Dry): Mix 1.5 – 2 grams of dry granules into 1 liter of potting soil. Fill the pot and plant.
Method 2 (Pre-Swollen – Recommended): Soak 1 gram of dry granules in 1 liter of water for 30 minutes to form a gel. Mix this gel with the potting mix at a ratio of 1/3 or 1/4. This method makes dosage control easier and eliminates the risk of over-swelling.
Alternatives to potassium polyacrylate are other synthetic or natural polymers that function as water retainers.
| Alternative Product | Structure | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium Polyacrylate | Synthetic, sodium salt | Much cheaper; the standard in the diaper industry. | Can cause sodium accumulation in the soil over time, leading to salinization and phytotoxicity for plants. |
| PVA-Based Hydrogels | Synthetic | High durability, used in industrial coolers. | Cost-prohibitive for agriculture; not biodegradable. |
| Starch-Based Natural Polymers | Corn, wheat starch | Fully biodegradable, suitable for organic farming. | Low absorption capacity (30-50x), gel structure degrades quickly, expensive. |
| Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) | Cellulose derivative | Water-soluble, used in soil conditioning and dust control. | Very low water absorption capacity compared to SAP; does not form discrete gel particles. |
| Clinoptilolite (Natural Zeolite) | Volcanic mineral | Non-chemical, retains water and nutrients permanently in the soil. Water retention mechanism is physical adsorption, not swelling. | Not organic matter; weight-based water holding capacity is much lower than polymers. |
The three most common types of polyacrylate salts in agriculture and industry differ based on the alkali metal or ammonium ion in their structure.
| Property | Potassium Polyacrylate (K-PAM) | Sodium Polyacrylate (Na-PAM) | Ammonium Polyacrylate (NH₄-PAM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | (C₃H₃KO₂)n | (C₃H₃NaO₂)n | (C₃H₆NO₂)n |
| Appearance / Odor | White granules, odorless | White granules, odorless | White granules, slight ammonia odor |
| pH (Gel) | Neutral (~7.0) | Slightly Alkaline (~7.5 – 8.0) | Slightly Acidic (~6.0 – 6.5) |
| Absorption in Pure Water | 300 – 500 g/g | 400 – 600 g/g (Highest) | 300 – 450 g/g |
| Saline Water Resistance | Medium | Low (Salts severely reduce absorption) | Low-Medium |
| Plant Nutrition | Yes. Slowly releases potassium (K⁺) fertilizer after swelling. Positively contributes to plant nutrition. | No. Accumulates sodium in the soil over time, damaging soil structure and potentially becoming toxic to plants. | Yes. Provides nitrogen in ammonium (NH₄⁺) form. However, ammonia loss can occur at high pH. |
| Effect on Soil | Improves soil structure, increases aeration. | Can cause dispersion (deflocculation), reducing permeability and leading to crust formation. | Converted to nitrate by microbial activity and used by plants. |
| Primary Use | Agriculture, Horticulture (Gold standard) | Hygiene products (diapers), industrial liquid solidification, ice packs | Agriculture (controlled-release fertilizer systems), wastewater treatment (as flocculant) |
| Biodegradability | Very slow (over years) | Very slow (over years) | Degrades faster than polyacrylamides, but the cross-linked SAP form is slow. |
| Cost | Medium-High | Low | Medium |
Summary Selection Guide:
If you are growing plants and want to improve the soil: Choose Potassium Polyacrylate without question.
If you need to solidify industrial wastewater or manufacture diapers: Sodium Polyacrylate is the most economical and highest-capacity solution.
If you need water retention combined with a nitrogen fertilizer effect: Ammonium Polyacrylate can be considered, but it is less common than the potassium type due to odor and stability issues.