Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally sensitive composition that may be coated as a water-borne material onto a substrate to yield a printing plate precursor having an imageable coating. The thermally sensitive composition comprises a sulfated phenolic resin. The sulfated phenolic resin may be a sulfated novolak resin or a sulfated resole resin, for example. The thermally sensitive composition may include a water-soluble binder, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and a radiation-absorbing component. The invention also provides a printing plate precursor that is developed in water after imaging. The precursor does not require chemical development with a developing solution containing organic solvents or inorganic additives. The imaged precursor is on-press-developable when used with a fountain solution. Methods for making and using the precursor are also provided.

Abstract: Sulfated polymers, imageable elements containing these polymers, and methods for preparing images useful as lithographic printing plates from these imageable elements are disclosed. The sulfate groups are attached either to aryl groups that are pendent to the polymer backbone, and/or to alkyl groups that are either pendant to the polymer backbone and/or part of the polymer backbone. The elements can be thermally imaged and developed in water or in fountain solution so that an alkaline developer is not required. They can be imaged and developed on press using fountain solution so that it is unnecessary to mount them in a separate exposure device.

Abstract: Infrared absorbing compounds in which the anion is selected from the group consisting of 5-isatinsulfonate, 10-camphorsulfonate, and 4,5-dihydroxy-1,3-benzenedisulfonate are disclosed. Negative-working imageable elements containing these compounds have improved dot stability.

Abstract: A convenient and economical method for preparing infrared absorbing cyanine dyes useful in lithographic printing plate precursors is disclosed. The reaction is generally carried out by condensation of a heterocyclic base containing an activated methylene group and an unsaturated bisaldehyde or its equivalent in a solvent or solvent mixture at about 20-150° C. All the reactions necessary for production of the infrared absorbing cyanine dye may be carried out in one reaction vessel without isolating any intermediate products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally sensitive composition that may be coated as a water-borne material onto a substrate to yield a printing plate precursor having an imageable coating. The thermally sensitive composition comprises a sulfated phenolic resin. The sulfated phenolic resin may be a sulfated novolak resin or a sulfated resole resin, for example. The thermally sensitive composition may include a water-soluble binder, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and a radiation-absorbing component. The invention also provides a printing plate precursor that is developed in water after imaging. The precursor does not require chemical development with a developing solution containing organic solvents or inorganic additives. The imaged precursor is on-press-developable when used with a fountain solution. Methods for making and using the precursor are also provided.

Abstract: Infrared absorbing compounds in which the anion is selected from the group consisting of 5-isatinsulfonate, 10-camphorsulfonate, and 4,5-dihydroxy-1,3-benzenedisulfonate are disclosed. Negative-working imageable elements containing these compounds have improved dot stability.

Abstract: Imageable elements with improved dot stability are disclosed. The imageable elements comprise a layer of an imageable composition over a support. The imageable composition comprises an infrared absorbing compound, an acid generator, an acid activatable crosslinking agent, a polymeric binder, and about 0.01 wt % to 1 wt % of an added onium compound. The elements may be thermally imaged and developed to produce images useful as lithographic printing plates.

Abstract: A method for forming images useful as lithographic printing plate precursors is disclosed. An imageable element in which the imageable layer comprises an acid generator, a crosslinking agent, and a binder is imaged with ultraviolet radiation and developed with a solvent based developer. The acid generator is an iodonium, sulfonium, or diazonium salt in which the anion is an organic sulfate or thiosulfate anion. The binder comprises a copolymer that contains a reactive pendent group capable of undergoing acid crosslinking, in which the reactive pendent group is hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, sulfonamide, alkoxymethyl, or a mixture thereof. The method is especially suited for use with direct digital ultraviolet imaging devices. The resulting image is useful as a lithographic printing plate.

Abstract: A method of preparing a curable coating and a method of curing the curable coating are disclosed. The curable composition from which the curable coating is prepared may be applied to the surface of a substrate in neat form or in aqueous medium to produce the coating. Curing of the curable coating may be accomplished by chemical generation of free radicals, by electrochemical generation of free radicals, by electron beam, by photochemical generation of free radicals, or by other electromagnetic irradiation.

Abstract: Disclosed are modified latexes having improved drying speed, comprising a polymer having one or more pendant side chains, such side chain comprising the product of the reaction between a mono- or poly-functional group capable of reacting with an acid or hydroxyl unit, and such units present on the precursor polymer. Such modified latexes are storage-stable one-pack compositions useful alone or in combination in coating applications, or as adhesives, sizing agents, composites, impregnants, castings, caulks, and non-woven binders. Also disclosed is a method for providing a crosslinked protective coating on a substrate, comprising the steps of: applying a coating of the composition of the present invention to the substrate; and allowing the composition to cure at ambient temperature or greater, or applying radiation to the composition to effect curing.

Abstract: A method of preparing a curable coating and a method of curing the curable coating are disclosed. The curable composition from which the curable coating is prepared may be applied to the surface of a substrate in neat form or in aqueous medium to produce the coating. Curing of the curable coating may be accomplished by chemical generation of free radicals, by electrochemical generation of free radicals, by electron beam, by photochemical generation of free radicals, or by other electromagnetic irradiation.

Abstract: Provided are improved coatings, polymeric dispersions, and polymeric composites, which include PNPs. Also provided are methods for forming improved coatings, polymeric dispersions, and polymeric composites, which include PNPs. The PNPs have polymerized units of at least one multi-ethylenically-unsaturated monomer have a mean diameter of from 1 to 50 nanometers. PNPs having polymerized units of at least one multi-ethylenically-unsaturated monomer and at least one surface-active monomer are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a curable composition and a process of preparing the curable composition. The process comprises (a) forming an oligomer from oligomerization of a mixture of a monomer A having a functional group and a monomer B at a temperature in the range of from 150° C. to 650° C., a pressure in the range of from 3 MPa to 35 MPa and the pressure is high enough to maintain the reaction mixture in a fluid state and a residence time in the range of from 0.1 second to 4 minutes; and (b) reacting a modifier having at least one reactive moiety with the oligomer through a reaction between the reactive moiety of the modifier and the functional group of the monomer A in the oligomer, and the modifier further comprises a curable group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oligomer with a semi-telechelic nitrogen-functionality and at least one ethylenic unsaturation pendant to the backbone of the oligomer. In addition, a process is provided to prepare the semi-telechelic nitrogen-functional oligomer. The semi-telechelic nitrogen-functional oligomer is useful as a dispersant for pigments in radiation curable formulations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a curable composition and a process of preparing the curable composition. The process comprises (a) forming an oligomer from oligomerization of a mixture of a monomer A having a functional group and a monomer B at a temperature in the range of from 150° C. to 650° C., a pressure in the range of from 3 MPa to 35 MPa and the pressure is high enough to maintain the reaction mixture in a fluid state and a residence time in the range of from 0.1 second to 4 minutes; and (b) reacting a modifier having at least one reactive moiety with the oligomer through a reaction between the reactive moiety of the modifier and the functional group of the monomer A in the oligomer, and the modifier further comprises a curable group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oligomer with a semi-telechelic nitrogen-functionality and at least one ethylenic unsaturation pendant to the backbone of the oligomer. In addition, a process is provided to prepare the semi-telechelic nitrogen-functional oligomer. The semi-telechelic nitrogen-functional oligomer is useful as a dispersant for pigments in radiation curable formulations.