Abstract: Negative-working imageable elements are prepared with radiation-sensitive imageable layers that contain surface-modified silica particles such as fumed silica particles and sol-gel silica particles, that are present in an amount of from about 1 to about 40 weight %, have an average particle size of from about 1 to about 500 nm, have surface hydroxy groups, and have a carbon content of from about 0.5 to about 15 weight % that is derived from surface hydrophobic groups having 1 to 30 carbon atoms. The presence of the surface-modified silica particles provides improved abrasion resistance, reduced tackiness, and various other desired properties.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive element comprising (a) a substrate and (b) a radiation-sensitive coating comprising (i) at least one component selected from photoinitiators and sensitizer/coinitiator systems which absorbs radiation of a wavelength in the range of 250 to 1,200 nm; (ii) at least one oligomer A of formula (I) wherein X1, X2 and X3 are independently selected from straight-chain or cyclic C4-C12 alkylene and C6-C10 arylene, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaromatic group and combinations of two or more of the above, R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from (II) and (III) with the proviso that (1) n=0 in at least one of the groups R1, R2 and R3, and (2) n>2 in at least one of the groups R1, R2 and R3, and (3) at least one group R6 is different from H in formula (III).

Abstract: Negative-working imageable elements can be imaged and processed to provide lithographic printing plates. These imageable elements are sensitive to infrared radiation but are insensitive to “white” light and thus can be more easily handled under white light conditions. These properties are possible by incorporating a filter dye having a ?max of from about 300 to about 500 nm into the imageable layer of the imageable elements.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive compositions and imageable elements include a polymeric or non-polymeric component in an imageable layer, which component includes 1H-tetrazole groups. The non-polymeric components can be radically polymerizable compounds. The polymeric components can have 1H-tetrazole groups that are pendant to the backbone. The use of such components in negative- or positive-working imageable elements provides high photospeed and improved developability for providing imaged and developed elements, such as lithographic printing plates that show improved chemical resistance and run length.

Abstract: Negative-working imageable element can be used to provide lithographic printing plates. The imageable element has a suitable radiation-sensitive imageable layer and a water-soluble overcoat disposed on the imageable layer. This overcoat comprises at least one poly(vinyl alcohol) having a saponification degree of at least 90%, an alkoxylation product of an alkanol, and either a 2-sulfonato succinic acid dialkylester or an alkoxylation product of a 1,4-butanediol.

Abstract: A method for preparing a lithographic web during manufacturing by incorporating a cleaning device cleaning device capable of being in contact with one or more web rollers. The cleaning device including a cleaning applicator to apply the cleaning solution such that the cleaning solution connected to the cleaning applicator, and a controller to move the applicator from an operational mode to a self-cleaning mode.

Abstract: Negative-working imageable elements such as lithographic printing plate precursors, include a free-radically polymerizable component, an initiator composition that is capable of generating free radicals sufficient to initiate polymerization of the free-radically polymerizable component upon exposure to imaging radiation in the presence of a radiation absorbing compound, a radiation absorbing compound, an aerobic free radical inhibitor, optionally a polymeric binder that is not a free radically polymerizable component, and an anaerobic free radical inhibitor. The molar ratio of the anaerobic free radical inhibitor to the aerobic free radical inhibitor is at least 1:1. This combination of inhibitors provides increased shelf life and good latent image stability particularly when the element includes a polymeric topcoat layer that functions as an oxygen barrier.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plate precursor comprising (a) a lithographic substrate with a hydrophilic surface and (b) a radiation-sensitive coating on the hydrophilic surface comprising (i) one or more types of monomers and/or oligomers and/or polymers, each comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated group accessible to a free radical polymerization, (ii) at least one sensitizer, and at least one coinitiator capable of forming free radicals together with the sensitizer (ii); characterized in that the at least one sensitizer is an oligomeric or polymeric compound comprising the following structural unit (Formula (I)), wherein ?1 is an aromatic or heteroaromatic unit or a combination of the two so that a conjugated n-system is present between the two groups Z in structure (I), each Z independently represents a heteroatom, each R1 and R2 is independently selected from a halogen atom, an alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or aralkyl group, a group —NR3R4 and a group —OR5, each R3, R4 and R5 is independently selected from a

Abstract: Negative-working imageable elements are prepared with radiation-sensitive imageable layers that contain surface-modified silica particles such as fumed silica particles and sol-gel silica particles, that are present in an amount of from about 1 to about 40 weight %, have an average particle size of from about 1 to about 500 nm, have surface hydroxy groups, and have a carbon content of from about 0.5 to about 15 weight % that is derived from surface hydrophobic groups having 1 to 30 carbon atoms. The presence of the surface-modified silica particles provides improved abrasion resistance, reduced tackiness, and various other desired properties.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for preparing a lithographic web during manufacturing by incorporating a cleaning device cleaning device capable of being in contact with one or more web rollers. The cleaning device including a cleaning applicator to apply the cleaning solution such that the cleaning solution connected to the cleaning applicator, and a controller to move the applicator from an operational mode to a self-cleaning mode.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive composition comprising (a) at least one photopolymerizable compound with at least one ethylenically unsaturated group accessible to a free-radical polymerization, wherein the at least one photopolymerizable compound has a molecular weight of 3,000 or less and can be obtained by reacting a diisocyanate with (I) an ethylenically unsaturated compound with a hydroxy group, and at the same time (ii) a saturated organic compound with an NH group and an OH group, wherein the reactants are used in amounts according to the following condition: Number of moles of isocyanate groups ?number of moles of OH plus NH groups; (b) at least one sensitizer which absorbs radiation from the wavelength range of 250 to 450 nm of the electromagnetic spectrum and is selected from: dihydropyridines of formula (I) and oxazole derivatives of formula (II): (II) (c) at least one coinitiator capable of forming free radicals together with the sensitizer (b) and selected from 2,2?,4,4?,5?5-hexaarylbiimidazoles, compounds w

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive compositions and imageable elements include a polymeric or non-polymeric component in an imageable layer, which component includes 1H-tetrazole groups. The non-polymeric components can be radically polymerizable compounds. The polymeric components can have 1H-tetrazole groups that are pendant to the backbone. The use of such components in negative- or positive-working imageable elements provides high photospeed and improved developability for providing imaged and developed elements, such as lithographic printing plates that show improved chemical resistance and run length.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive element comprising a substrate and a radiation-sensitive coating comprising (a) at least one component selected from photoinitiators and sensitizer/coinitiator systems which absorbs radiation of a wavelength in the range of 250 to 1,200 nm; (b) at least one free-radical polymerizable oligomer A having an average molecular weight in the range of 3,500 to 9,000 determined by GPC, obtainable by reacting a triisocyanate with (i) at least one acrylic or methacrylic monomer with two free OH groups and at least one (meth)acrylic group and (ii) at least one compound comprising one OH group, at least one (meth)acrylic group and at least one poly(alkyleneoxide) chain in the molecule, wherein the (meth)acrylic monomer (i) is present in an amount of 2 to 20 mole-%, based on the total amount of (meth)acrylic compounds with OH functionality.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive element comprising: (a) one or more types of monomers each comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated group accessible to a free-radical polymerization, (b) at least one sensitizer, (c) at least one coinitiator capable of forming free radicals together with the sensitizer (b) and selected from the following classes of compounds: metallocenes; 1,3,5-triazine derivatives with one to three CX3 groups, wherein X represents chlorine or bromine; peroxides; hexaarylbiimidazoles; oxime ethers; oxime esters; N-aryl glycines and derivatives thereof; thiol compounds; N-aryl, S-aryl and O-aryl polycarboxylic acids with at least 2 carboxyl groups of which at least one is bonded to the N, S or O atom of the aryl unit; alkyltriarylborates; benzoin ethers; benzoin esters; trihalogenomethylarylsulfones; amines; N,N-dialkylaminobenzoic acid esters; aromatic sulfonyl halides; trihalogenomethylsulfones; imides; diazosulfonates; 9,10-dihydroanthracene derivatives; a-hydroxy and a-amino acetophenones; an

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive element comprising (a) a substrate and (b) a radiation-sensitive coating comprising (i) at least one component selected from photoinitiators and sensitizer/coinitiator systems which absorbs radiation of a wavelength in the range of 250 to 1,200 nm; (ii) at least one oligomer A of formula (I) wherein X1, X2 and X3 are independently selected from straight-chain or cyclic C4-C12 alkylene and C6-C10 arylene, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaromatic group and combinations of two or more of the above, R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from (II) and (III) with the proviso that (1) n=0 in at least one of the groups R1, R2 and R3, and (2) n>2 in at least one of the groups R1, R2 and R3, and (3) at least one group R6 is different from H in formula (III).

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for preparing a lithographic web during manufacturing by incorporating a cleaning device cleaning device capable of being in contact with one or more web rollers. The cleaning device including a cleaning applicator to apply the cleaning solution such that the cleaning solution connected to the cleaning applicator, and a controller to move the applicator from an operational mode to a self-cleaning mode.

Abstract: Process for the production of lithographic printing plates comprising (a) providing a lithographic substrate with a hydrophilic surface; (b) applying a negative working radiation-sensitive composition onto the hydrophilic surface, wherein the composition comprises: (i) one or more types of monomers and/or oligomers and/or polymers, each comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated group accessible to a free-radical polymerization, (ii) at least one sensitizer which in the presence of at least one coinitiator and upon exposure to radiation of a wavelength of 300 to <480 nni or >750 to 1,100 nm initiates the free-radical polymerization of component (i); and (iii) at least one binder with acidic functional groups and is substantially not sensitive to the wavelength range of 480 to 750 nm; (c) image-wise exposure of the resulting negative working lithographic printing plate precursor to radiation selected from the wavelength range of 300 to <480 nm or >750 to 1,100 nm depending on the sensitizer

Abstract: Lithographic printing plate precursor comprising (a) a lithographic substrate with a hydrophilic surface and (b) a radiation-sensitive coating on the hydrophilic surface comprising (i) one or more types of monomers and/or oligomers and/or polymers, each comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated group accessible to a freeradical polymerization, (ii) at least one sensitizer, and at least one coinitiator capable of forming free radicals together with the sensitizer (ii); characterized in that the at least one sensitizer is an oligomeric or polymeric compound comprising the following structural unit (Formula (I)), wherein ?1 is an aromatic or heteroaromatic unit or a combination of the two so that a conjugated n-system is present between the two groups Z in structure (I), each Z independently represents a heteroatom, each R1 and R2 is independently selected from a halogen atom, an alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or aralkyl group, a group —NR3R4 and a group —OR5, each R3, R4 and R5 is independently selected from an

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive element comprising (a) a substrate with at least one hydrophilic surface and (b) a radiation-sensitive coating on at least one hydrophilic surface of the substrate, wherein the coating comprises: (i) at least one free-radical polymerizable monomer and/or oligomer and/or polymer with at least one ethylenically unsaturated group each, (ii) at least one absorber selected from photoinitiators and sensitizers, which is capable of absorbing radiation of a wavelength in the range of 250 to 1,200 nm and (iii) at least one stabilizer comprising in its molecule at least one group capable of inhibiting free-radical polymerization, and at least one other group capable of sorption at the hydrophilic surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive composition comprising (a) at least one photopolymerizable compound with at least one ethylenically unsaturated group accessible to a free-radical polymerization, wherein the at least one photopolymerizable compound has a molecular weight of 3,000 or less and can be obtained by reacting a diisocyanate with (I) an ethylenically unsaturated compound with a hydroxy group, and at the same time (ii) a saturated organic compound with an NH group and an OH group, wherein the reactants are used in amounts according to the following condition: Number of moles of isocyanate groups ?number of moles of OH plus NH groups; (b) at least one sensitizer which absorbs radiation from the wavelength range of 250 to 450 nm of the electromagnetic spectrum and is selected from: dihydropyridines of formula (I) and oxazole derivatives of formula (II): (II) (c) at least one coinitiator capable of forming free radicals together with the sensitizer (b) and selected from 2,2?,4,4?,5?5-hexaarylbiimidazoles, compounds