Abstract: A substrate metal such as aluminum or titanium, usually in the form of a web, is anodized to form a porous unsealed oxide coating. An inexpensive core metal such as copper or chromium is then electrodeposited in the pores of the oxide coating to form metal nodules extending above the oxide coating in a bulbous, undercut configuration. A second metal, usually an expensive catalytic metal, is deposited onto the surface of the core metal nodules by electro or chemical deposition. A large surface area of catalyst is formed with the use of a minimum amount of catalyst metal. The nodules may be liberated from the substrate metal surface by dissolving the oxide layer and releasing discrete particles to form a fine catalyst powder.

Abstract: Smooth planar metal surfaces, usually an aluminum web, intended for a lithographic printing plate, are roughened by brush graining with fine abrasive particles which are hard and dense and have a radial or disk-like configuration such that the abrasive particles are forged into the surface of the metal forming cavities in which the abrasive particles remain embedded. The embedded abrasive particles are dislodged and removed from the cavities by subjecting the web to an anodic treatment employing electrolyte materials and concentrations, temperatures and voltage which will dislodge and remove the particles while retaining the surface texture or morphology of the as-roughened surface. The web is then subjected to a second anodic treatment under conditions which favor oxide formation in order to provide a final anodized product.

Abstract: A coated lithographic printing plate comprises a grained, anodized aluminum substrate and coating thereon comprising a diazo resin in admixture with particulate energy absorbing material that will absorb incident radiation and re-radiate it as radiation that will change the diazo resin coating which is imageable with a Crosfield Datrax 760 YAG laser plate maker producing incident radiation of 1/06 microns. The topography of the substrate and the particulate material in the coating trap and convert a substantial portion of the incident laser radiation which passes through the coating without substantially affecting same into radiation that will change the coating.

Abstract: The lithographic printing plate of the invention comprises a substrate having a hydrophilic surface, a coating on said surface of a light sensitive material (e.g., a water soluble diazo) and a top coating of discrete, oleophilic resin particles (e.g., an emulsion polymer), the resin particle coating being:(a) transparent to actinic light;(b) sufficiently permeable to allow a developer for the light sensitive material to penetrate through to the underlying light sensitive coating;(c) insoluble in said developer;(d) capable of being coalesced in situ after the plate is imaged and developed.

Abstract: A security medium, secure articles made therefrom and methods of making same. Articles are disclosed which are resistant to counterfeiting and unauthorized alteration and which are suitable for use as currency, securities, security passes, identification cards, and analogous items now usually manufactured on paper. The novel articles comprise two synthetic material layers with a barrier layer therebetween and an image formed from sublimatable dye within at least one of the synthetic layers.

Abstract: The lithographic printing plate of the invention comprises a substrate having a hydrophilic surface, a coating on said surface of a light sensitive material (e.g., a water soluble diazo) and a top coating of discrete, oleophilic resin particles (e.g., an emulsion polymer), the resin particle coating being:(a) transparent to actinic light;(b) sufficiently permeable to allow a developer for the light sensitive material to penetrate through to the underlying light sensitive coating;(c) insoluble in said developer;(d) capable of being coalesced in situ after the plate is imaged and developed.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plates are made by exposing to actinic light a lithographic plate having a water soluble light sensitive layer thereon and a coating of a solvent soluble, UV curable material thereover to form an image in the light sensitive layer and adhere said layer to the overlying UV curable material. The plate is developed with water to remove light sensitive layer and overlying UV curable material in the non-image areas, and the plate is exposed to UV source having an intensity greater than the imaging light to form a press-ready plate having a durable, reinforced cured image thereon.

Abstract: Process for making a lithographic printing plate having an oleophilic amplified image prepared by(a) providing a silicated aluminum substrate with a hydrophilic, anionic, negatively charged surface and a layer on said surface of a light sensitive, cationic, positively charged, water soluble diazonium material having at least two reactive sites per molecule, each reactive site being capable of being chemically altered by actinic light or chemically reacted with an anionic material;(b) selectively and incompletely exposing the diazo layer to actinic light to alter only a portion of the reactive sites thereby adhering the diazo material to the substrate in the exposed areas;(c) coupling the diazo layer with an anionic material to reinforce diazo in the exposed areas in situ and remove diazo from the unexposed areas by contacting the substrate after exposure with an anionic material in water in a quantity and for a time sufficient to couple the anionic material with the diazo and dissolve the coupled product from

Abstract: Lithographic printing plates are made by exposing to actinic light a lithographic plate having a water soluble light sensitive layer thereon to form an image in said layer. A solvent soluble, UV curable material is adhered to the image in said layer. The plate is developed before or after applying the UV curable material. The plate is exposed to UV source having an intensity greater than the imaging light to form a press-ready plate having a durable, reinforced cured image thereon.

Abstract: Process for removing unexposed diazo from a silicated aluminum lithographic printing plate having a hydrophilic, anionic, negatively charged surface and a layer of a light sensitive, cationic diazo material which has been selectively exposed to actinic light in an image area. The plate is contacted after exposure with a solution of an anionic material in water. Anionic material from the solution ionically couples with unexposed diazo material and the solution still containing anionic material dissolves the coupled product from the unexposed areas producing a clean, hydrophilic background.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plates are made by exposing to actinic light a lithographic plate having a water soluble light sensitive layer thereon and a coating of a solvent soluble, UV curable material thereover to form an image in the light sensitive layer and adhere said layer to the overlying UV curable material. The plate is developed with water to remove light sensitive layer and overlying UV curable material in the non-image areas, and the plate is exposed to UV source having an intensity greater than the imaging light to form a press-ready plate having a durable, reinforced cured image thereon.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plates are made by exposing to actinic light a lithographic plate having a water soluble light sensitive layer thereon to form an image in said layer. A solvent soluble, UV curable material is adhered to the image in said layer. The plate is developed before or after applying the UV curable material. The plate is exposed to UV source having an intensity greater than the imaging light to form a press-ready plate having a durable, reinforced cured image thereon.

Abstract: Method for lithographic printing wherein a lithographic printing plate having oleophilic and hydrophilic areas on the printing surface of the plate is contacted with ink and an aqueous fountain solution during printing. An aqueous solution comprising an enzyme is used as the fountain solution.

Abstract: Aluminum substrate suitable for making lithographic plates which has been treated to render the surface hydrophilic and negatively charged and thereafter ionically colored with a cationic dye.

Abstract: Anodized aluminum having a porous, unsealed anodic oxide layer is provided with a polymeric coating over the oxide layer that is substantive to a sublimatable dye. A sublimated dye forms a design or image in the oxide layer and the polymeric coating. Single and multi-color designs and images can be used for nameplates, dials and signs.

Abstract: Planar surfaces are roughened by graining with an aqueous slurry of unfused platy, crystalline alumina. Preferably, an aluminum base with is adapted to receive a light-sensitive coating thereon to make lithographic plate is grained with said aqueous slurry.