Abstract: A laser-engraveable composition comprises one or more elastomeric rubbers including at least 10 parts of one or more CLCB EPDM elastomeric rubbers, based on parts per hundred of the total weight of elastomeric rubbers (phr). The laser-engraveable composition further comprises 2-30 phr of a near-infrared radiation absorber and either 1-80 phr of an inorganic, non-infrared radiation absorber filler, or a vulcanizing composition that comprises a mixture of at least two peroxides. One first peroxide has a t90 value of 1-6 minutes as measured at 160° C., and a second peroxide has a t90 value of 8-20 minutes as measured at 160° C. This laser-engraveable composition can be used to form various flexographic printing precursors that can be laser-engraved to provide relief images in flexographic printing plates, printing cylinders, or printing sleeves.

Abstract: A laser-engravable composition comprises one or more elastomeric rubbers including at least 10 parts of one or more CLCB EPDM elastomeric rubbers, based on parts per hundred of the total weight of elastomeric rubbers (phr). The laser-engravable composition further comprises 2-30 phr of a near-infrared radiation absorber and either 1-80 phr of an inorganic, non-infrared radiation absorber filler, or a vulcanizing composition that comprises a mixture of at least two peroxides. One first peroxide has a t90 value of 1-6 minutes as measured at 160° C., and a second peroxide has a t90 value of 8-20 minutes as measured at 160° C. This laser-engravable composition can be used to form a laser-engravable layer on a compressible layer that is disposed on a substrate, and to form various flexographic printing precursors. The compressible layer can also be laser-engravable.

Abstract: A mixture of a high molecular weight EPDM rubber with a low molecular weight (liquid) EPDM rubber provides a highly useful laser-ablatable flexographic printing plate precursor formulation. This formulation is sensitive to infrared radiation by the incorporation of an IR absorbing compound such as a carbon black. The inclusion of the liquid EPDM rubber avoids the need for plasticizers such as process oils during manufacturing, and provides improved image sensitivity, print quality, and run length. Both flexographic printing plates and printing sleeves can be made using the mixture of EPDM rubbers.

Abstract: A mixture of a high molecular weight EPDM rubber with a low molecular weight (liquid) EPDM rubber provides a highly useful laser-ablatable flexographic printing plate precursor formulation. This formulation is sensitive to infrared radiation by the incorporation of an IR absorbing compound such as a carbon black. The inclusion of the liquid EPDM rubber avoids the need for plasticizers such as process oils during manufacturing, and provides improved image sensitivity, print quality, and run length. Both flexographic printing plates and printing sleeves can be made using the mixture of EPDM rubbers.