WATER-ABSORBING FILM

PURPOSE:To provide a highly water-absorbing film which is flexible and tough, has excellent durability and is useful in various ways including paper diaper, sanitary commodities, etc., by molding a mixture consisting of a polymer having partially neutralized carboxyl groups and polyvinyl alcohol into a film. CONSTITUTION:An alkali metal compd. is reacted with a polymer contg. an unsaturated compd. having one or two carboxyl groups or groups which are convertible into carboxyl groups per molecule as a monomer component, such as an olefin/maleic anhydride copolymer. 10-50% of the carboxyl groups and/or groups which are convertible into carboxyl groups of the resulting polymer is neutralized. The partially neutralized product is mixed with polyvinyl alcohol in a weight ratio of 10/90-30/70. The mixture is molded into a film to obtain a water-absorbing film having a water absorption ratio of about 10.