Process for manufacture of superabsorbent-coated yarn

Abstract

A process for the manufacture of a yarn provided with a superabsorbent material having a swelling value of at least 60 and having hydrophilic properties which is capable of absorbing and retaining quantities of water, wherein the process includes applying an aqueous solution of a water-soluble pre-superabsorbent material onto the yarn followed by drying and heating of the yarn in order to cross-link or to polymerize the water-soluble pre-superabsorbent material to the superabsorbent material. The superabsorbent material provides water blocking capability to the yarn so that it is suitable for use as a strength member in watertight optical communication cables.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.