A textile fabric for preventing the penetration and water spreading in cables, having at least one layer, which is at least partially covered by an absorbent material and has pores, which pores can be at least partially closed under the effect of liquid due to absorbent material swelling, the absorbent material being bonded to the textile layer, at least in some areas, has a DIN ISO 9073-3 tensile strength in machine direction of >50 N/5 cm, and obtainable by a method involving: treating a layer containing pores with a mixture containing a polymerizable monomer or oligomer and a cross-linking agent and, as absorbent material precursor, a wetting agent and initiator, and polymerization of the monomer or oligomer under formation of a bonded connection between the absorbent material and the layer. The textile fabric can have a DIN EN ISO 9237 air permeability in dry state of greater than 200 dm3/(m2s).