Abstract: An imageable element comprises: (A) a substrate; and (B) an imageable composition applied to the substrate comprising: (1) a first layer, comprising: (a) a photosensitive composition capable of absorbing actinic radiation; and (b) a photothermal converter; and (2) an ablatable second layer contiguous to the first layer, wherein the second layer is opaque to the actinic radiation. This imageable element advantageously is useful in both positive and negative working printing plate applications, increases the efficiency of use of mask-generating radiation such as IR radiation and eliminates the need for chemicals and additional time to create a mask.

Abstract: A method for forming an image on a printing plate intermediate having a radiation transparent removable coating layer is disclosed. An image mask, opaque to ultraviolet radiation, is applied to the coating layer with an ink jet system. After the plate intermediate is exposed with ultraviolet radiation, the image mask and coating layer are removed, and plate intermediate developed.

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 lithographic printing surface is prepared using a thermal lithographic printing plate which requires no chemical development to remove areas of the imaged plate. The processless thermal lithographic printing plate has a sheet substrate; a hydrophilic layer on the sheet substrate; and a thermally sensitive imaging layer on the hydrophilic layer. The hydrophilic layer contains about 30 weight % of an aluminosilicate or clay, and preferably has an exterior surface which is micro-porous. The imaging layer preferably is micro-porous. The imaging layer is exposed imagewise using infrared laser radiation to produce an imaged layer. The imaged layer is treated with a conditioner liquid to produce a lithographic printing surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to coating solutions, processes for the preparation of a printing plate using these coating solutions as well as printing plates prepared in this manner; in particular, the invention relates to printing plates the photosensitive layer of which contains homogeneously distributed polymer particles.

Abstract: A redundant ice management system and method to de-ice and anti-ice an aircraft member (150) is provided. The system comprising a primary ice management sub-system (154) for providing thermal ice management to the aircraft member and a secondary ice management sub-system (172) for providing back-up thermal ice management to the aircraft member (150) in the event of a failure by the primary ice management sub-system (154). The system provides primary and secondary de-ice and anti-ice capabilities to the aircraft member (150) before and during airborne operation.

Abstract: A presensitized printing plate intermediate having an image mask on a UV radiation transparent removable coating layer; and a printing plate produced directly by reactants which polymerize alone or in combination with other reactants precoated on the plate substrate to form a printable hard resin image. A method of digitally forming an image on said printing plate intermediate.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plates for wet or waterless offset printing are disclosed which can be imagewise exposed using a digitally controlled IR laser. The invention comprises a laser imagable lithographic printing plate comprising a substrate, a photosensitive coating on the substrate, and a water soluble laser ablatable top coating containing dyes or polymers that absorb infra-red, ultraviolet and visible light. Laminated transparent polymer films and/or peelable polymeric coatings films can be interposed between the coated substrate and a water soluble and/or organic solvent soluble laser ablatable top layer to augment plate production or image inscription on the plate.

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: Presensitized lithographic plates are prepared which permit direct formation of printable images on plates by digital computerization without the intervening formation of a photographic image with a quality that allows the plates to be used for high volume printing applications. The lithographic printing plate has a structure which contains a substrate; a positive or negative working photosensitive layer; and a thermally sensitive masking layer which is opaque to the actinic radiation but which is soluble in an aqueous medium. The masking layer contains a heat softenable disperse phase which is insoluble in the aqueous medium; a polymeric continuous phase which is soluble or swellable in the aqueous medium; and a colorant which strongly absorbs radiant energy and converts the radiant energy to heat.

Abstract: A waterless or driographic printing plate which can be thermally imaged by an infrared laser is composed of a substrate; a thermal imaging layer containing a photothermal conversion material, such as an infrared absorbing material, and a thermoplastic polyurethane with pendent allyl groups; and a crosslinked silicone polymer top layer. It was discovered that when the imaging layer contains an allyl functional polyurethane mixed with an infrared absorbing dye or pigment, the polymeric layer will have enhanced solubility in certain solvents when exposed to infrared radiation. In addition, the polymeric layer continues to exhibit excellent adhesion to the silicone in unexposed areas so that the infrared absorbing layer can endure development with a suitable organic solvent, or a solvent mixture. Mild brushing or rubbing with the developing solvent readily removes laser-struck portions of the infrared imaging layer while unexposed areas remain firmly intact.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive compositions, printing plates containing such compositions, imageable by infrared and ultraviolet/visible radiation and imaging method using same. The compositions comprise a thermal-activated acid generator; a crosslinking resin; a binder resin comprising a polymer containing reactive pendant groups selected from hydroxy, carboxylic acid, sulfonamide, and alkoxymethylamides; an infrared absorber; and optionally a UV/visible radiation-activated acid generator for UV/visible sensitization.

Abstract: Lithographic plate compositions and a method for their production have been discovered that are especially useful in conjunction with digitally controlled lasers to directly construct printable images on lithographic plates. The plates comprise a substrate and an ablatable polymeric coating on the substrate where the ablatable, imageable coating is prepared by in situ or solution polymerization of conjugated monomers deposited on the plate by vapor deposition or in solution. Examples of such monomers are thiophene, pyrrole and aniline.

Abstract: A radiation sensitive composition containing an adduct of a diazonium resin having pendant diazonium groups, with a sulfonated acrylic copolymer having pendant sulfonate groups. The sulfonated acrylic copolymer contains an acrylic moiety and a sulfonated styryl or acrylic moiety. The copolymer may optionally contain styryl moieties. The composition is useful as a radiation sensitive layer in imaging elements for graphic arts applications and is particularly useful in preparing durable, long-wear, printing plates.

Abstract: Aryl triflate compounds can generate a strong acid when exposed to irradiation of radiation and can be used as an acid generator in a radiologically-acid-producing agent system and a radiosensitive composition.

Abstract: Aryl triflate compounds can generate a strong acid when exposed to irradiation of radiation and can be used as an acid generator in a radiologically-acid-producing agent system and a radiosensitive composition.

Abstract: A photohardenable composition comprising a free radical addition polymerizable or crosslinkable compound and an ionic dye-counter ion compound, said compound being capable of absorbing actinic radiation and producing free radicals which initiate free radical polymerization or crosslinking of said compound; and photosensitive materials incorporating the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a latent catalyst for epoxy resin containing compounds according to formula 1 ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 =C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl or arylR.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.8 aryl or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 form together a 4-8 membered ringin which R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and/or R.sup.3 can contain an ether-oxygen or sulphur atom, in which the amide and acid groups are in an a-b position bound to an aliphatic or aromatic group.

Abstract: A process for making three dimensional models is disclosed which is characterized in that a photohardenable composition is used which comprises a free radical addition polymerizable or crosslinkable compound and an ionic dye-counter ion compound, said compound being capable of absorbing actinic radiation and producing free radicals which initiate free radical polymerization or crosslinking of said compound.