Abstract: A composition used as a resist in the manufacture of electronic parts, for example printed circuits, and which is rendered soluble in a developer by pattemwise delivery of heat, comprises a polymer and optionally an infrared absorbing compound. However in contrast to conventional compositions no compound is present which alters the solubility of the polymer in an aqueous developer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a selectively relief-treated image member comprises:

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for producing a predetermined resist pattern on a substrate. The method includes the patternwise application of infrared radiation to a precursor which contains the substrate, having a coating thereon, wherein the coating contains a positive working composition; and the development of the pattern using a developer. The composition contains a polymeric substance having functional groups Q thereon, such that the functionalized polymeric substance has the property that it is developer insoluble prior to delivery of infrared radiation and developer soluble thereafter.

Abstract: An imagable article comprises a thermally imagable coating on a substrate, the coating comprising a radiation absorbing compound and a metal compound which is thermally decomposable, to form a metal. The imagable article is imagewise exposed to electromagnetic radiation, which is converted to heat by the radiation absorbing compound. The imaged article is then subjected to a developer, and in regions that have been exposed the thermally decomposable metal compound is decomposed to elemental metal, and regions that have not been exposed dissolve in the developer leaving behind the regions of elemental metal.

Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic printing for precursor having an imagable coating on an aluminum support, wherein the imagable coating comprises a polymeric substance comprising colorant groups, and wherein the aluminum support on which the coating is provided is anodized but not subsequently modified by means of a post-anodic treatment compound, and the coating does not comprise a colorant dye. The polymeric substance may also comprise pendent infra-red or developer dissolution inhibiting groups, and these groups may also be the colorant groups themselves.

Abstract: Phenolic resin compositions formulated for use in lithographic exposure processes are given a heat treatment at 40-90° C. for at least 4 hours shortly after their coating onto lithographic substrates, to produce lithographic printing forms. It is found that such a heat treatment improves later exposure processes, in particular by rendering the sensitivity of the compositions less variable, over time.

Abstract: A method of making a mask or an electronic part, for example a printed circuit, comprises the steps of delivering heat in a desired pattern to a precursor of the mask or electronic part, the precursor comprising a surface coated with a coating, the coating comprising a heat-sensitive composition itself comprising an aqueous developer soluble polymeric substance and a compound which reduces the aqueous developer solubility of the polymeric substance, wherein the aqueous developer solubility of the composition is not increased by incident UV radiation but is increased by the said delivery of heat; then developing the precursor to remove heat-sensitive composition in regions to which the heat was delivered. In the case of a printed circuit precursor the surface may then be etched in conventional manner to yield the required printed circuit.

Abstract: A method of preparing a printing member or a printing member precursor involves contacting a substrate with an aqueous formulation comprising a polyester having pendent hydrophilic groups wherein said polyester has optionally been combined with a second compound. Said pendent hydrophilic groups may be selected from alkvleiie oxide moieties, carboxyl groups, amino groups, sulphonic groups, phosphoric groups, sulphuric acid ester salts, hydroxyl groups, salts of any other aforesa-id and quaternary immonium salts in general. Said printing member is preferably a lithographic printing member. It may be for use in wet or dry printing.

Abstract: A precursor for electronic parts, for example printed circuit boards, has a negative-working thermally-imagable layer on a substrate, for example a copper board or semiconductor. The layer comprises a cross-linking agent, a thermally-activated acid generator, and a polymeric substance containing polyvinylphenol units and alkyl acrylate units. Such as layer has improved mechanical properties with maintenance of good imaging properties.

Abstract: A composition used as a resist in the manufacture of electronic parts, for example printed circuits, and which is rendered soluble in a developer by patternwise delivery of heat, comprises a polymer of general formula (I), wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or alkyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or alkyl group, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or alkyl group, and R4 represents hydroxyalkyl group, and wherein the ratio n/m is in the range 10/1 to 1/10.

Abstract: A method of producing a resist pattern on a substrate using a precursor which comprises a coating composition which includes a heat sensitive polymeric substance having functional groups Q thereon (wherein groups Q may be siloxane or optionally substituted fluoroalkyl groups) wherein groups Q cause the polymeric substance to have a reduced adhesive interaction with ink for use in waterless lithographic printing compared to aid polymeric substance in the absence of said groups, the method including the step of causing the patternwise application of heat to said coating composition and optional development thereby to define ink accepting areas in heat exposed areas and non-ink accepting areas in non-exposed areas.

Abstract: A planographic printing member precursor comprises a first component, for example a hydroxy group containing polymer, and a second component which may be a siloxane or a compound of general formula (I), wherein M represents a silicon or a titanium atom and each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is independently selected from hydrogen or halogen atoms; a hydroxy group; an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group; an optionally substituted alkoxy group; or an optionally substituted saturated or unsaturated cyclic or heterocyclic group. On exposure, the second component reacts with the first component to define an oleophobic/hydrophilic material in exposed areas and in non-exposed areas the second component is removed, on processing of the precursor.

Abstract: A planographic printing member precursor comprises a first component, for example a hydroxy group containing polymer, and a second component which may be a siloxane or a compound of general formula (I): wherein M represents a silicon or a titanium atom and each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is independently selected from hydrogen or halogen atoms; a hydroxy group, an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group; an optionally substituted alkoxy group; or an optionally substituted saturated or unsaturated cyclic or heterocyclic group. On exposure, the second component reacts with the first component to define an oleophobic/hydrophilic material in exposed areas and in non-exposed areas the second component is removed, on processing of the precursor.

Abstract: There is described a precursor for preparing a resist pattern, said precursor comprising an imageable layer which includes a relatively volatile compound that can be volatilised by application of heat, wherein imaging radiation can be applied to the precursor to heat areas thereof and volatilise said compound so that properties, for example, the ink accepting abilities of heated and non heated areas, are different.

Abstract: A method for producing a predetermined resist pattern on e.g. a lithographic printing plate, circuit board or mask, comprises the patternwise exposure to heat of a composition which comprises a novolac resin, a latent Bronsted acid and optionally a pigment. The composition is rendered preferentially soluble to a developer, in the regions which were heated.

Abstract: There is described a method of preparing a lithographic plate which comprises coating on a lithographic support having a hydrophilic surface a layer of a radiation sensitive coating, imaging the coating then acting on the plate while on the press with aqueous fount solution to remove the unexposed areas of the coating, to reveal the hydrophilic surface of the plate and to leave an ink receptive image, wherein the radiation sensitive coating comprises a diazo salt of formula (I): wherein R1 is an anion, R2 and R3 represent optional substitution, R4 is —N— and —S— and R5 is a group which, after exposure of the plate renders the residue of the diazo salt oleophilic and fount solution insoluble.

Abstract: There is described a method of preparing a lithographic plate which comprises coating on a lithographic support having a hydrophilic surface, a layer of a heat sensitive coating, digitally imaging the coating, then processing the plate with water to remove the unexposed areas of the coating to reveal the hydrophilic surface of the plate and to leave an ink receptive image, wherein the heat sensitive coating comprises a diazo salt of formula (I): wherein R1 is an anion, R2 and R3 represent optional substitution, R4 is —N— or —S— and R5 is a group which, after exposure of the plate, renders the residue of the diazo salt oleophilic and fount solution insoluble.

Abstract: A method for producing a predetermined resist pattern on e.g. a lithographic printing plate, circuit board or mask, comprises the patternwise exposure to suitable radiation of a composition which comprises a novolac resin and a diazonium salt. The composition is rendered preferentially soluble to a developer in the regions which were exposed.

Abstract: There is described a method of preparing a water-less lithographic printing form using a precursor which includes a support having a coating thereon comprising a diazo salt formed from an aromatic diazonium compound and an abhesive counter anionic moiety, the method comprising heat mode imaging the precursor and processing the imaged percursor on press by the application of printing ink to remove the abhesive products of the imaging so that areas of the precursor which have been imaged are ink-accepting.

Abstract: A method of preparing a planographic printing member is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a hydrophilic layer by thermally spraying a hydrophilic particulate material onto an ablatable layer. Typical hydrophilic materials are SiO2, Al2O3, Cr2O3, TiO2 and ZrO2. Spraying a plasma containing the hydrophilic material in an inert gas atmosphere is preferred method for forming the hydrophilic layer.