Partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide-co-poly(n-vinyl pyrrolidone) used as a superabsorbent was prepared from acrylamide monomers exposed to gamma-rays to become polyacrylamide that was subsequently partially hydrolyzed and was then copolymerized with n-vinylpyrrolidone to obtain a terpolymeric superabsorbent with a water retention value of 1100 times its dried weight. The total dose and dose rate along with the appropriate degree of hydrolysis were investigated for percentage conversion in each polymerization and the extent of water absorption.