Abstract: An aqueous developer for imageable elements that contain a radiation-sensitive initiator system and at least one free radical polymerizable material is disclosed. The developer develops these plates quickly, with high throughput, but with no sludge formation in the developing process. The developer contains water, a buffer, and one or more filter dyes and/or one of more free radical inhibitors. The imageable elements are useful as printing plates.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive composition comprises: (i) at least one component capable of absorbing IR radiation; and (ii) a diazonium polycondensation product soluble in an organic solvent; with the proviso that the composition does not contain components capable of reacting with decomposition products produced from IR radiation exposure of the diazonium polycondensation product. The composition may additionally comprise a polymeric binder of the type useful for conventional negative-working printing plates. The composition is suitable for preparing thermally imageable printing plate precursors and printing plates and may also be used in a method for providing an image on such plate precursors and printing plates.

Abstract: An aqueous developer for imageable elements that contain a radiation-sensitive initiator system and at least one free radical polymerizable material is disclosed. The developer develops these plates quickly, with high throughput, but with no sludge formation in the developing process. The developer contains water, a buffer, and one or more filter dyes and/or one of more free radical inhibitors. The imageable elements are useful as printing plates.

Abstract: A polyvinyl acetal copolymer compound comprises the units A, B, C and D, wherein A is present in an amount of 0.5 to 30 wt.

Abstract: A replenisher composition developing exposed radiation-sensitive printing plate precursors for plate/developer systems in which the electrical conductivity of the developer does not decrease to the same extend as the activity of the developer decreases or even increases is disclosed. A method for developing exposed radiation-sensitive printing plates using the replenisher composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive composition, for example a coating on a lithographic printing plate, comprises a carboxylic acid derivative of a cellulosic polymer. The composition may contain a radiation absorbing compound and suitable electromagnetic radiation, preferably infra-red radiation, may be used to heat the composition imagewise. The presence of the cellulosic polymer enhances resistance to certain organic liquids.

Abstract: An aqueous developer for imageable elements that contain a radiation-sensitive initiator system and at least one free radical polymerizable material is disclosed. The developer develops these plates quickly, with high throughput, but with no sludge formation in the developing process. The developer contains water, a buffer, and one or more filter dyes and/or one of more free radical inhibitors. The imageable elements are useful as printing plates.

Abstract: A thermally imageable element, useful as a lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed. The element comprises a hydrophilic substrate; an underlayer comprising a first polymeric material; and an ink-receptive top layer comprising a second polymeric material. Preferably, the top layer comprises a compound that functions as a solubility-suppressing component. The solubility-suppressing component may be a separate dissolution inhibitor compound and/or the second polymeric material may also function as a solubility-suppressing component. On thermal exposure the exposed regions of the top layer becomes more readily soluble in an aqueous developer, allowing the developer to remove the top layer and reveal the surface of the hydrophilic substrate. The lithographic printing plate thus formed has excellent properties, including the absence of sludging of the developer.

Abstract: A thermal lithographic printing plate, which can be imaged by thermal energy typically by imagewise exposure with an infrared emitting laser, a thermal printing head, etc., is made up of a hydrophilic substrate, and a composite layer structure composed of two layer coatings. Preferably, the first layer of the composite is composed of an aqueous developable polymer mixture containing a photothermal conversion material which is contiguous to the hydrophilic substrate. The second layer of the composite is composed of one or more non-aqueous soluble polymers which are soluble or dispersible in a solvent which does not dissolve the first layer. The plate is exposed with an infrared laser or a thermal print head, and upon aqueous development of the imaged plate, the exposed portions are removed exposing hydrophilic substrate surfaces receptive to conventional aqueous fountain solutions. The unexposed portions contain the ink-receptive image areas.

Abstract: The invention relates to photosensitive compositions containing an alkali-insoluble binder, which i.a. are excellently suitable for preparing thermally developable printing plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to water-soluble layers which in addition to polyvinyl alcohol comprise poly(1-vinylimidazole) or a copolymer of 1-vinylimidazole and at least one further monomer as a further component. These layers can be used as an overcoat on the light-sensitive layer of printing plates.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive composition, for example a coating on a lithographic printing plate, comprises a carboxylic acid derivative of a cellulosic polymer. The composition may contain a radiation absorbing compound and suitable electromagnetic radiation, preferably infra-red radiation, may be used to heat the composition imagewise. The presence of the cellulosic polymer enhances resistance to certain organic liquids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to IR-sensitive compositions containing an initiator system comprising: (a) at least one compound capable of absorbing IR light (b) at least one compound capable of producing radicals and (c) at least one polycarboxylic acid comprising an aromatic moiety substituted with a heteroatom selected from N, O and S and also at least two carboxyl groups wherein at least one of the carboxyl groups is bonded to the heteroatom via a methylene group. These compositions are inter alia extraordinarily suitable for the manufacture of printing plates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particular acetal copolymers and radiation-sensitive compositions comprising said copolymers and, inter alia, are excellently suitable for the production of lithographic printing plates. In particular, the invention relates to acetal copolymers containing furylvinylidene, thienylvinylidene or pyrrolylvinylidene.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline composition comprising at least one phosphonic acid, at least one polyglycol derivative and at least one glycol. The composition can be used as either a developer or a replenisher for either positive-working or negative-working alkaline developable lithographic printing plates, including thermal plates.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyvinyl acetals containing the units A, B, C and D, whereinA is present in an amount of 0.5 to 20 wt.-% and is of the formula ##STR1## B is present in an amount of 15 to 35 wt.-% and is of the formula ##STR2## C is present in an amount of 10 to 50 wt.-% and is of the formula ##STR3## wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl group with up to 4 carbons, which is optionally substituted by an acid group, or a phenyl group, to which an acid group is attached, wherein the phenyl group optionally comprises 1 to 2 further substituents selected from halos, amino, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl and ethyl groups, or is a group X--NR.sup.6 --CO--Y--COOH, wherein X is an aliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic spacer group, R.sup.6 is hydrogen or an aliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic moiety and Y is a saturated or unsaturated chain- or ring-shaped spacer group, and this unit C may be contained several times with various moieties R.sup.1 independent of one another, and D is present in an amount of 25 to 70 wt.

Abstract: A method for directly imaging a lithographic printing surface using infrared radiation without the requirement of pre- or post-UV-light exposure, or heat treatment employs a printing plate which contains a support with a hydrophilic surface overcoated with an imaging layer. The imaging layer contains at least one polymer having bonded pendent groups which are hydroxy, carboxylic acid, tert-butyl-oxycarbonyl, sulfonamide, amide, nitrile, urea, or combinations thereof; as well as an infrared absorbing compound. The imaging layer may contain a second polymer which has bonded pendent groups which are 1,2-napthoquinone diazide, hydroxy, carboxylic acid, sulfonamide, hydroxymethyl amide, alkoxymethyl amide, nitrile, maleimide, urea, or combinations thereof. The imaging layer may also contain a visible absorption dye, a solubility inhibiting agent, or both.

Abstract: A visible radiation sensitive composition is described which comprises a binder, one or more polymerizable compounds containing at least one polymerizable group, and one or more dyes having an absorption range in the emission range of the radiation source, characterized in that said composition comprises as an initiator an initiator system consisting of a metallocene as a photoinitiator and an onium compound as a coinitiator. The visible radiation sensitive composition shows an increased radiation sensitivity compared to the known radiation sensitive compositions and is especially suitable for recording materials such as printing plates, which can, in particular, also be exposed by means of laser radiation in the visible range.

Abstract: This invention relates to a binder containing the units A, B, C, D and E, wherein A is present in an amount of 10 to 60 mole % and is of the formula ##STR1## B is present in an amount of 1 to 30 mole % and is of the formula ##STR2## C is present in an amount of 5 to 60 mole % and is of the formula ##STR3## D is present in an amount of 0 to 60 mole % and is of the formula ##STR4## and E is present in an amount of 1 to 40 mole % and is of the formula ##STR5## wherein X is an aliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic spacer group,R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an aliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic group,R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are hydrogen or alkyl groups with carbon numbers of from 1 to 18 andY is a saturated or unsaturated chain- or ring-shaped spacer group, and photosensitive compositions containing this binder.

Abstract: Polymeric binders for photosensitive compositions exhibiting improved ink acceptance, good developability and wetting, high photosensitivity, good image resolution, and larger printing runs for plates employing such photosensitive compositions.