Abstract: A laminate suitable for the production of printing plates and relief plates, and possessing a photosensitive layer, which is soluble in water or in an aqueous solution, and contains a hydrophilic polymeric binder, applied to a base, contains, between the base and the photosensitive layer, an intermediate layer which consists of a mixture of a polymeric binder which is compatible with the polymeric binder of the photosensitive layer and contains at least 30% by weight of a reaction product of a polyvinyl alcohol with acrylic anhydride and/or methacrylic anhydride, with at least one monomer which is compatible therewith and selected from the group consisting of the hydroxyalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and the diacrylates and dimethacrylates containing urethane groups. After application to the base, the intermediate layer is cured at 110.degree.-220.degree. C. before the photosensitive layer is applied.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymerizable, primarily linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers with acrylate side groups comprising reacting an organic polyisocyanate with a mixture of(a) an acrylate diol having a molecular weight of 146 to 3000,(b) an organic polyhydroxyl compound other than those of paragraph (a) having a molecular weight between 400 and 5000, and(c) a chain extender selected from the group consisting of diols, diamines, aminoalcohols, and triols, having molecular weights between 61 and 400, water, and mixtures thereofwherein the ratio of isocyanate to active hydrogen containing groups is from 0.8:1 to 1.2:1 and wherein 1.4 to 1.8 moles of organic polyisocyante, 0 to 15 moles of component (c) and 0.3 to 6 moles of component (a) are used per mole of component (b). The polymerizable polyurethane elastomers may be used for the manufacture of molded parts, laminates, adhesives, coatings, magnetic tapes, and other articles.

Abstract: Photopolymerizable compositions for the manufacture of relief printing plates, especially relief plates for making mats, comprising an alcohol-soluble linear polyamide, a photoinitiator and a mixture of (a) a diether or triether obtained from 1 mole of an aliphatic diol or triol and from 2 to 3 moles of N-hydroxymethylacrylamide or N-hydroxymethylmethacrylamide and (b) an unsaturated ester-urethane obtained from 1 mole of toluylene diisocyanate and 2 moles of a hydroxyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate, (a) and (b) being mixed in specific ratios.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of exposed printing plates consisting of a resin layer and a support, said resin layer being prepared from a fluid photopolymerizable material which is introduced into a mold having at least one transparent wall which is covered with an image-bearing transparency, and being exposed through said image-bearing transparency, which causes photopolymerization of the exposed areas of the resin layer and bonds these areas to the support which is provided with an adhesive layer.

Abstract: Fluid photo-crosslinkable composition consisting essentially of a photo-initiator and a mixture ofA. a polyurethane obtained by reacting a hydroxyl-containing saturated aliphatic polyester with a polyisocyanate and a monoacrylate or monomethacrylate of a diol, andB. an N-vinyl lactam optionally in admixture with other monomers.These compositions are suitable for the production of high-quality relief printing plates and have a short processing time.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for drying photosensitive sheets, which have already been exposed to light and washed out, for the production of printing plates. According to the invention, a drying chamber is combined with a post-exposure device, the drying chamber and post-exposure device preferably being separated by a partition which transmits actinic light rays. The apparatus according to the invention can be used with advantage in the production of printing plates with photosensitive layers, particularly because it can considerably shorten the times hitherto required for the production of the plates.