Abstract: A process for preparing copolymers which comprises copolymerizing (A) at least one ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic anhydride derived from at least one dicarboxylic acid having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, (B) at least one vinylaromatic compound, and (C) optionally at least one non-(A) ethylenically unsaturated comonomer containing at least one heteroatom, (D) reacting the copolymer with at least one compound of the formula I a or I b where A1 is C2-C20 alkylene, identical or different, R1 is C1-C30 alkyl, linear or branched, and n is an integer from 1 to 200, hydrolyzing the product with water or an aqueous alkaline solution, and subsequent to hydrolysis adding further free-radical initiator.

Abstract: Photopolymeric letterpress printing plates which are to be developed with water or water/alcohol mixtures after imagewise exposure and have, arranged one on top of the other on a dimensionally stable substrate, a layer (A) which may be bonded to the dimensionally stable substrate by an adhesion-promoting layer and is crosslinkable by actinic radiation, a layer (B) which is sensitive to IR radiation and, if required, a parting layer arranged between layer (A) and layer (B), and a peelable protective film applied to the layer (B), are produced by a process in which the layer (A) contains a mixture of at least one polymeric binder which is soluble or dispersible in water or water/alcohol mixtures, copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated organic compounds which are compatible with the polymeric binder and a photoinitiator, the layer (B) sensitive to IR radiation has an optical density ≧2.

Abstract: Photopolymeric gravure printing plates which are to be developed with water or water/alcohol mixtures after imagewise exposure and have, arranged one on top of the other on a dimensionally stable substrate, a layer (A) which may be bonded to the dimensionally stable substrate by an adhesion-promoting layer and is crosslinkable by actinic radiation, a layer (B) which is sensitive to IR radiation and, if required, a parting layer arranged between layer (A) and layer (B), and a peelable protective film applied to the layer (B), are produced by a process in which the layer (A) consists of a mixture of at least one polymeric binder which is soluble or dispersible in water or water/alcohol mixtures, copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated organic compounds which are compatible with this polymeric binder, a photoinitiator or photoinitiator system and, if required, further assistants, the parting layer which may be arranged between layer (A) and layer (B) is oxygen-permeable and the layer (B) sensitive to IR radiat

Abstract: A multilayer recording element is suitable for the production of flexographic printing plates by digital information transfer and has, arranged one on top of the other on a dimensionally stable substrate, a layer (A) crosslinkable by actinic radiation, a layer (B) sensitive to IR radiation and, if required, a peelable cover sheet, the layer (A) crosslinkable by actinic radiation being capable of being washed out by means of a developer after imagewise exposure and consisting essentially of a mixture of at least one elastomeric binder, ethylenically unsaturated copolymerizable organic compounds, a photoinitiator and, if required, further assistants, and the layer (B) sensitive to IR radiation being a layer which is soluble or dispersible in the developer and contains, in a film-forming binder having elastomeric character, at least one finely divided substance which has a high absorbance in the wavelength range from 750 to 20,000 nm.

Abstract: Photopolymeric letterpress printing plates which are to be developed with water or water/alcohol mixtures after imagewise exposure and have, arranged one on top of the other on a dimensionally stable substrate, a layer (A) which may be bonded to the dimensionally stable substrate by an adhesion-promoting layer and is crosslinkable by actinic radiation, a layer (B) which is sensitive to IR radiation and, if required, a parting layer arranged between layer (A) and layer (B), and a peelable protective film applied to the layer (B), are produced by a process in which the layer (A) contains a mixture of at least one polymeric binder which is soluble or dispersible in water or water/alcohol mixtures, copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated organic compounds which are compatible with the polymeric binder and a photoinitiator, the layer (B) sensitive to IR radiation has an optical density.gtoreq.2.

Abstract: Photopolymeric gravure printing plates which are to be developed with water or water/alcohol mixtures after imagewise exposure and have, arranged one on top of the other on a dimensionally stable substrate, a layer (A) which may be bonded to the dimensionally stable substrate by an adhesion-promoting layer and is crosslinkable by actinic radiation, a layer (B) which is sensitive to IR radiation and, if required, a parting layer arranged between layer (A) and layer (B), and a peelable protective film applied to the layer (B), are produced by a process in which the layer (A) consists of a mixture of at least one polymeric binder which is soluble or dispersible in water or water/alcohol mixtures, copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated organic compounds which are compatible with this polymeric binder, a photoinitiator or photoinitiator system and, if required, further assistants, the parting layer which may be arranged between layer (A) and layer (B) is oxygen-permeable and the layer (B) sensitive to IR radiat

Abstract: (A) being a photosensitive relief-forming layer in which imagewise exposure to actinic light results in different solubilities of the exposed and unexposed parts, and this layer consists of a mixture of:(a1)one or more polymeric binders,(a2)one or more photopolymerization initiators,(a3)one or more organic compounds which are compatible with the binder (a1) and contain photopolymerizable olefinically unsaturated groups and, if required,(a4)one or more assistants,(B) being a smooth or dull, nontacky release layer (B) which is transparent to light, soluble or swellable in the relevant liquid media and formed by a polymer forming strong films and additives contained therein, and(C) being a cover sheet which can be detached from the release layer (B), the release layer (B) containing a metal salt as an additive,is suitable for the production of printing plates.

Abstract: Aqueous non-self-emulsifying polymer dispersions having small particles and a long shelf life and based on highly viscous reaction resins are prepared without the addition of solvents, by means of an intensively dispersing screw apparatus, by a continuous process in which the preparation of the polymer dispersion is carried out in an intensive shear zone of the screw apparatus, the water/reaction resin ratio in this intensive shear zone corresponding to the phase inversion point or being close to it, and the specific energy supply is 0.01-0.15 kWh/kg, the residence time is 0.1-60 sec and the shear gradient is 2,000-20,000 sec.sup.-1.

Abstract: Pigmented curable polyester molding compounds which cure to give homogeneously colored moldings contain an unsaturated polyester, copolymerizable monomers, a thermoplastic polymer and a color pigment and are prepared by dispersing the pigment in the molten thermoplastic in an extruder.