Water gel (plain)
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).
Hydrated water gel, or water beads
Uses
Water 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.[1]
- Watering or potting plants.[2]
- In vases of cut flowers
- Use in gardens to save water.
- Used as ammunition for gel blaster toy guns. Usually came in 7-8mm when full size.[3]
- Colorful decorations or artificial snow.[4][5]
- In a dry state as absorbent filler inside disposable diapers and sanitary napkins.
- In a dry state in large bags for controlling or containing floods.[6]
See also
- Superabsorbent polymer (further uses, chemical and physical details)
- Polyacrylamide (more uses and details)
References
- How to feed water to crickets safely (commercial site; includes photo of crystals)
- Potting plants with water gel (commercial site)
- Water gels as toy gun ammunition (commercial site)
- Water crystals for decoration (commercial site)
- Water Bead Centerpieces (commercial site)
- "Using gel bags to contain floodwater (commercial site)". Archived from the original on 2009-02-06. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
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