Abstract: A laser engravable photocurable composition comprising: (a) crosslinked elastomeric polymer particles having a diameter of between about 5 and about 1000 nm; (b) about 0 to 60 parts of at least one monomer; (c) about 0.1 to 4 parts of at least one photoinitiator; and optionally, (d) a binder or oligomer. The crosslinked elastomeric polymer particles preferably comprise: (i) an aliphatic conjugated diene monomer; (ii) at least one vinyl monomer; and (iii) optionally, an acid functional monofunctional vinyl monomer. In addition a laser engravable relief printing element including the laser engravable photocarable composition and an engraving method are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of selectively pre-exposing a photosensitive printing element prior to imagewise exposure in order to remove oxygen from the photosensitive layer prior to imagewise exposure. The invention is usable in a computer-to-plate process to produce flexographic relief image printing elements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of selectively pre-exposing a photosensitive printing element prior to imagewise exposure in order to remove oxygen from the photosensitive layer prior to imagewise exposure. The invention is usable in a computer-to-plate process to produce flexographic relief image printing elements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of selectively pre-exposing a photosensitive printing element prior to imagewise exposure in order to remove oxygen from the photosensitive layer prior to imagewise exposure. The invention is usable in a computer-to-plate process to produce flexographic relief image printing elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous primer composition for use in manufacturing flexographic printing plates. The aqueous primer composition comprises a polyurethane, a copolymer, a layered silicate, and optionally a surfactant and/or a dye or pigment. The use of the layered silicate as a filler in the primer composition produces an improved primer composition with a stronger water/solvent resistance and less delamination.

Abstract: A process of producing a relief image printing plate, the process comprising the steps of providing a photosensitive printing element, quenching dissolved oxygen in the photosensitive resin layer by pre-exposing the photosensitive layer to one or more sources of actinic radiation, wherein the range of wavelengths spanned by the one or more sources of actinic radiation differs by no more than about 20 nm, and imagewise exposing the photosensitive resin layer to actinic radiation to crosslink and cure the photosensitive resin layer. The photosensitive composition typically comprises at least one photoinitiator that is present in the photosensitive composition in an amount sufficient to provide an optical density in the photosensitive composition of between about 0.05 and 0.43 at a wavelength used to pre-expose the photosensitive composition.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided high performance, photoimageable resin compositions for flexographic printing, having excellent physical properties, e.g., resilience, hardness, toughness, and the like, as well as increased rates of cure upon exposure to radiation. In a further aspect of the invention, there are provided printing plates prepared employing invention compositions, wherein said printing plates are characterized as having excellent exposure sensitivity, the capability of rapidly curing upon exposure, excellent retention of fine details, and excellent colorless performance. Moreover, printing plates prepared employing invention compositions have good flexibility, excellent washout properties, and retain such properties over extended periods of storage. In another aspect of the invention, there are provided methods for the preparation of formulations comprising said compositions and methods for use thereof.

Abstract: An improved photopolymerizable resin composition for use in making flexographic printing plates, wherein the resin composition comprises a base polymer, a reactive crosslinking agent, a photoinitiator, and a nanoparticle-sized filler. Printing plates produced using the improved compositions of the invention have increased toughness, less tack, reduced cold flow, and higher hardness as compared to prior art compositions that do not contain nanoparticle fillers.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided high performance, photoimageable resin compositions for flexographic printing, having excellent physical properties, e.g., resilience, hardness, toughness, and the like, as well as increased rates of cure upon exposure to radiation. In a further aspect of the invention, there are provided printing plates prepared employing invention compositions, wherein said printing plates are characterized as having excellent exposure sensitivity, the capability of rapidly curing upon exposure, excellent retention of fine details, and excellent colorless performance. Moreover, printing plates prepared employing invention compositions have good flexibility, excellent washout properties, and retain such properties over extended periods of storage. In another aspect of the invention, there are provided methods for the preparation of formulations comprising said compositions and methods for use thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided high performance, photoimageable resin compositions for flexographic printing, having excellent physical properties, e.g., resilience, hardness, toughness, and the like, as well as increased rates of cure upon exposure to radiation. In a further aspect of the invention, there are provided printing plates prepared employing invention compositions, wherein said printing plates are characterized as having excellent exposure sensitivity, the capability of rapidly curing upon exposure, excellent retention of fine details, and excellent colorloss performance. Moreover, printing plates prepared employing invention compositions have good flexibility, excellent washout properties, and retain such properties over extended periods of storage. In another aspect of the invention, there are provided methods for the preparation of formulations comprising said compositions and methods for use thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided high performance, photoimageable resin compositions for flexographic printing, having excellent physical properties, e.g., resilience, hardness, toughness, and the like, as well as increased rates of cure upon exposure to radiation. In a further aspect of the invention, there are provided printing plates prepared employing invention compositions, wherein said printing plates are characterized as having excellent exposure sensitivity, the capability of rapidly curing upon exposure, excellent retention of fine details, and excellent colorloss performance. Moreover, printing plates prepared employing invention compositions have good flexibility, excellent washout properties, and retain such properties over extended periods of storage. In another aspect of the invention, there are provided methods for the preparation of formulations comprising said compositions and methods for use thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided highly sensitive, water-developable photoreactive resin compositions useful for the preparation of printing plates. Due to the high sensitivity of invention resin compositions, they are particularly useful for preparation of digitally imaged printing plates. Printing plates prepared employing invention compositions are characterized as having excellent exposure sensitivity, the capability of rapidly curing upon exposure, excellent retention of fine details, and excellent colorless performance. Moreover, printing plates prepared employing invention compositions have good clarity and flexibility, excellent washout properties, and retain such properties over extended periods of storage. Once photopolymerized, printing plates of the invention have excellent physical properties, enabling their use in many very demanding flexographic applications.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, water-developable photopolymerizable compositions useful for the preparation of durable printing plates capable of providing very high levels of resolution have been developed. Printing plates prepared employing invention compositions, once photopolymerized, have excellent physical properties, enabling their use in many very demanding applications, e.g., commercial letterpress and newspaper printing. Such applications require the photopolymerized resin to provide a sharp image and good durability after curing. Photopolymerization of invention resin yields a product with excellent physical characteristics, acceptable by letterpress printing standards. In addition, photopolymerization of invention composition provides a product which demonstrates sufficient toughness to be used for extended printing runs as required in such areas as metal decorating, newspaper, plastic packaging, business forms, and the like.

Abstract: A process for reducing energy losses in crystals is disclosed which comprises:a. heating a crystal to a temperature sufficiently high as to cause dissolution of microscopic inclusions into the crystal, thereby converting said inclusions into point-defects, andb. maintaining said crystal at a given temperature for a period of time sufficient to cause said point-defects to diffuse out of said crystal.Also disclosed are crystals treated by the process, and lasers utilizing the crystals as a source of light.

Abstract: A nucleophile substituted unsaturated hydrocarbon based compound is prepared by reacting a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R' are hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxy, alkylthioalkyl, or carboxyalkyl or carboxyalkenyl and X is a leaving group selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine with a nucleophilic reagent.

Abstract: A nucleophile substituted unsaturated hydrocarbon based compound is prepared by reacting a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R' are hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxy, alkylthioalkyl, or carboxyalkyl or carboxyalkenyl and X is a leaving group selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine with a nucleophilic reagent.