[BigMolecules]

I am looking to purchase sodium polyacrylate (a hydrogel) but it comes only in powder form. Is there an intrinsic property of the compound that prevents them from forming sheets out of the substance? I am not sure how to proceed in creating my own sheet of the substance other then synthesizing it from scratch in a mold.

In the end I am trying to make my own water beads, that swell in water.

Thanks for any tips/suggestions.

[wildfyr]

That polymer is highly soluble in water. Whatever procedure you are following, there is more to it than just obtaining sheets. I would bet that it has rather poor mechanical properties and would be stiff and "shatter" easily if thin sheets were made.