Process for the preparation of stable water based stock solutions of crosslinked lower alkyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride copolymers and hydrogel product of the process

A process for the preparation of the stable concentrate comprising an aqueous solution containing from about 2.5 to about 6 wt. % of a crosslinked lower alkyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer at 50:50 to 60:40 molar ratio and 0.005 to 2 wt.% based on copolymer of an inorganic compound selected from the group of consisting of an acid, an alkali metal halide, an alkali metal sulfate and mixtures thereof, said concentrate having a Brookfield viscosity of from about 3,000 to about 25,000 cps which process comprises forming an aqueous solution containing an inorganic acidic component selected from the group consisting of an acid, an alkali metal halide, an alkali metal sulfate and mixtures thereof;

• introducing into said solution between about 2.5 and about 6 wt. % of a 1-5% crosslinked lower alkyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer powder;
• maintaining the concentration of said acidic component at between 0.005 and 2 wt. based on copolymer;
• agitating the resulting mixture at a temperature of between about 20.degree. C. and about 80.degree. C. for a period of from about 0.5 to about 5 hours to achieve a uniform mixture and recovering a stable, translucent concentrate having a Brookfield viscosity of between about 5,000 and about 20,000 cps as the product of the process.