Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerizable coating composition suitable for the manufacture of printing plates, which may be developable on-press. The coating composition comprises (i) a polymerizable compound and (ii) a polymeric binder comprising polyethylene oxide segments, wherein the polymeric binder is selected from the group consisting of at least one graft copolymer comprising a main chain polymer and polyethylene oxide side chains, a block copolymer having at least one polyethylene oxide block and at least one non-polyethylene oxide block, and a combination thereof. The invention is also directed to an imageable element comprising a substrate and the polymerizable coating composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imageable member having an imageable layer including a heat-sensitive ionomer characterized by a net positive or negative charge, and a photothermal conversion material. The photothermal conversion material includes carbonaceous particles having thereon both an organic moiety including an ionic substituent having like charge as the ionomer, and a group represented by the formula —X-[NIon]p-Rterminal; wherein X represents an aromatic group or an alkyl group, NIon represents a non-ionic, non-ionizable group, Rterminal represents hydrogen, an aromatic group, an alkoxy group, or an alkyl group, and p is an integer from 1 to about 500. The heat-sensitive ionomer and modified carbonaceous particles can be formulated in water or water-miscible solvents without agglomeration.

Abstract: Both single-layer and multilayer imageable elements have a substrate and at least one imageable layer. The elements can be used to prepare either negative- or positive-working imaged elements, for example as lithographic printing plates. The imageable elements also include a radiation absorbing compound and a solvent-resistant polymer comprising pendant phosphoric acid groups, pendant adamantyl groups, or both. When this polymer comprises pendant adamantyl groups, they are connected to the polymer backbone through a urea or urethane group. The imageable elements have improved chemical resistance and thermal bakeability from the presence of the unique solvent-resistant polymer.

Abstract: A positive-working imageable element comprises inner and outer layers and a radiation absorbing compound such as an IR absorbing dye. The inner layer includes a first polymeric material. The ink receptive outer layer includes a second polymeric binder comprising a polymer backbone and an —X—C(?T)—NR—S(?O)2— moiety that is attached to the polymer backbone, wherein —X— is an oxy or —NR?— group, T is O or S, R and R? are independently hydrogen, halo, or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. After thermal imaging, the element can be developed using an alkaline developer. Use of the particular second polymeric binder reduces sludging in the developer. Its dissolution rate in the developer is slow enough to resist developer attack in the non-imaged areas of the outer layer but rapid enough for the second polymeric binder to be quickly loosened from imaged areas and kept suspended or dissolved for a considerable time.

Abstract: A method for preparing lithographic printing plates is disclosed. Imaged positive-working, thermally imageable, multi-layer imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors are developed using solvent based developers. Development may be carried out by immersing the imaged imageable element in the developer.

Abstract: A masking film has a unique polymeric binder in the imageable layer that enables the imaged film to be readily solubilized in non-chlorinated developers when it is used to form a relief image in a radiation-sensitive element, such as a UV-sensitive flexographic printing plate precursor. The polymeric binders in the imageable layer are resins that can be dissolved or dispersed in cyclohexane at 10% solids at 23° C. within 24 hours.

Abstract: A negative-working, imageable element comprises a substrate and an IR-sensitive imageable layer comprising a dispersion of nanofibers of a preformed IR-sensitive polymer. The nanofibers can be composed of polyaniline, polypyrrole, or polythiophene. The IR-sensitive imageable layer containing the nanofibers can be imaged using infrared radiation and used for printing without further processing. Thus, both imaging and printing can be carried out on-press.

Abstract: Single-layer and multilayer imageable elements have a substrate and at least one imageable layer and can be used to prepare positive-working lithographic printing plates. The imageable elements also include a radiation absorbing compound and a solvent-resistant polymer binder comprising an —N(R)—C(?X)—N(R?)—S(?O)2— moiety that is attached to the polymer backbone, wherein X is O or S, R and R? are independently hydrogen, halo, or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. This solvent-resistant polymer binder is located in the imageable layer closest to the substrate and provides improved chemical resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of imagewise exposing a thermally sensitive composition formed from a nanopaste comprising inorganic nanoparticles, a carrier, and preferably certain polymeric binders. The composition has been applied to a substrate and treated to improve adhesion. Exposure affects the solubility of exposed portions of the applied and treated layer relative to unexposed portions of the applied layer. The imaged layer is then developed on-press with a fountain solution, lithographic ink, or both, to remove the exposed portions or unexposed portions of the layer to form an image in a printing plate.

Abstract: A package of thermographic or photothermographic materials has a primary packaging enclosure, and optionally a secondary packaging enclosure, containing one or more of the materials (such as individual sheets). A non-photosensitive indicator device is associated with either or both of the packaging enclosures. This non-photosensitive indicator device is adapted to provide a visually observable indication of a predetermined cumulative thermal exposure and a predetermined temperature event (that is, single temperature event) of the package. This indicator device is able to provide information as to the time-temperature history of the package.

Abstract: A radiographic material containing tabular silver halide grains also includes an amido compound as an antifoggant precursor that can slowly release an antifoggant over time. These compounds are present in reactive association with the silver halide in tabular silver halide emulsion layers, and are present in an amount of at least 0.5 mmol/mol of silver. The radiographic materials are protected from fog during storage particularly in high temperature environments.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imageable element including a lithographic substrate and an imageable layer disposed on the substrate. The imageable layer includes a radically polymerizable component, an initiator system, and a polymeric binder. The imageable element further includes a tetraarylborate salt. The presence of the tetraarylborate salt may provide improved imaging speed and may enhance press life due to better adhesion between the imageable layer and the substrate. The tetraarylborate salt may be present in the imageable layer, an interlayer, or a separate layer between the substrate and the imageable layer. The imageable element may be imaged and mounted on-press without a separate development step.

Abstract: Multilayer, positive working, thermally imageable, bakeable imageable elements have a substrate, an underlayer, and a top layer. The underlayer comprises a polymeric material that comprises, in polymerized form from about 5 mol % to about 30 mol % of recurring units derived from an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomer having a carboxy group; from about 20 mol % to about 75 mol % of recurring units derived from N-phenylmaleimide, N-cyclohexylmaleimide, N-benzylmaleimide, or a mixture thereof; and from about 3 mol % to about 50 mol % of recurring units derived from a compound represented by the formula: CH2?C(R2)—C(O)—NH—CH2—OR1, in which R1 is C1 to C12 alkyl, phenyl, C1 to C12 substituted phenyl, C1 to C12 aralkyl, or Si(CH3)3; and R2 is hydrogen or methyl. Other materials, such as a resin or resins having activated methylol and/or activated alkylated methylol groups, such as a resole resin, may be present in the underlayer.

Abstract: Initiator system comprising: (a) at least one substance capable of absorbing IR radiation, (b) at least one compound capable of forming free radicals, and (c) at least one 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative of the formula (I)

Abstract: A method of preparing negative-working, single-layer imageable elements improves their storage stability in a humid environment. The method includes enclosing the coated imageable elements in a water-impermeable sheet material that substantially inhibits the transfer of moisture to and from the imageable element. Such imageable elements include a radiation-sensitive composition that includes a radically polymerizable component, an initiator composition to provide radicals upon exposure to imaging radiation, a radiation absorbing compound, and a polymeric binder having poly(alkylene glycol) side chains.

Abstract: A negative-working radiation-sensitive composition includes a polymeric binder comprising a polymer backbone and having attached thereto a carbazole derivative represented by the following Structure (I): wherein Y is a direct bond or a linking group, and R1 to R8 are independently hydrogen, or an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, halo, cyano, alkoxy, acyl, acyloxy, or carboxylate groups, or any adjacent R1 through R8 groups can together form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic group or a fused aromatic ring. The composition can be sensitive to radiation having a maximum wavelength of from about 150 to about 1500 nm, and can be used to prepare negative-working imageable elements that be imaged and developed as lithographic printing plates.

Abstract: Positive-working imageable elements are prepared by providing a first layer and second layers onto a substrate. Both layers include the same or different radiation absorbing compounds dispersed within different polymeric binders. After both layers are dried, they are heat treated at from about 40 to about 90° C. for at least 4 hours under conditions that inhibit the removal of moisture from the dried first and second layers. This method of preparation provides elements with improved imaging speed and good shelf life.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imageable element including a lithographic substrate and an imageable layer disposed on the substrate. The imageable layer includes a radically polymerizable component, an initiator system capable of generating radicals sufficient to initiate a polymerization reaction upon exposure to imaging radiation, and a polymeric binder having a hydrophobic backbone and including both constitutional units having a pendant cyano group attached directly to the hydrophobic backbone, and constitutional units having a pendant group including a hydrophilic poly(alkylene oxide) segment. The invention also provides a method for preparing a suitable polymeric binder. The method comprises contacting a combination of co-monomers in a solvent mixture consisting essentially of a (C1–C6) alkanol and water.

Abstract: Backside conductive layers with increased conductive efficiency can be provided for thermally developable materials by formulating hydrophilic metal oxide clusters in a hydrophobic environment using low shear mixing conditions. The dry thickness and coating weight of the conductive layer are thereby reduced.

Abstract: Black-and-white, dry processable thermally developable materials have increased stability after imaging with the incorporation of at least 0.0001 mol/m2 of a thermal solvent having one or more >N—C(?O)— groups. Such thermally developable materials include both thermographic and photothermographic materials.