An absorbent material formed at least in part of a cross-linked polymer.
The absorbent material has a centrifuge retention capacity as determined
by a Centrifuge Retention Capacity Test of at least about 20 g/g and a
gel bed permeability under load as determined by a Gel Bed Permeability
Under Load Test of at least about 300.times.10.sup.-9 cm.sup.2 or a free
swell gel bed permeability as determined by a Free Swell Gel Bed
Permeability Test of at least about 2,500.times.10.sup.-9 cm.sup.2. The
cross-linked polymer may comprise either at least about 75 weight percent
anionic polymer or at least about 75 weight percent cationic polymer. In
one embodiment, the cross-linked polymer is surface treated with a water
soluble non-cross-linked polymer having a potential for becoming charged
opposite that of the cross-linked polymer.