Abstract: A negative image-recording material which can be imagewise exposed to IR radiation from IR lasers and ensures direct image formation from digital data of a computer or the like. The material, when used in a lithographic printing plate, ensures good hardenability in an image area and exhibits good printing durability, even if not heated for image formation, and ensures a large number of good prints from the printing plate. The recording material contains (A) an IR absorber, (B) a radical generator having an onium salt structure, (C) a radical-polymerizing compound, and (D) a reducing additive, and this is imagewise exposed to IR radiation for image formation. Preferably, the reducing additive (D) is highly reactive with radicals and a reaction product with a radical has high reductivity. Preferred examples of the reducing additive are ether-type hydrogen donors, alcohol-type hydrogen donors, vinyl ethers and phosphine-type compounds.

Abstract: A positive-working imaging member is composed of a heat-sensitive surface imageable layer having a heat-sensitive polymer containing heat-activatable sulfoimino, sulfoalkyl, or sulfoamide groups, and a photothermal conversion material. Upon application of thermal energy, such as from IR irradiation, the sulfonate groups decompose rendering exposed areas more hydrophilic. The exposed imaging member can be contacted with a lithographic printing ink and used for printing without post-imaging wet processing. This imaging member is particularly useful for direct write imaging using IR lasers or thermal printing heads.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal type planographic printing plate which is writable by infrared laser beam exposure, can record images with high sensitivity and can provide a high quality printed matter which does not have stains. The planographic printing plate comprises a recording layer which is writable by infrared-laser exposure on a support formed with an anodic oxidation coating having a predetermined density and/or vacancy ratio on a roughened surface of an aluminum substrate.

Abstract: A self-contained photohardenable imaging assembly comprising in order: a first transparent support; an imaging layer comprising a developer material and a plurality of photohardenable microcapsules encapsulating a color precursor, and a second opaque support, wherein the opaque support comprises a barrier layer that exhibits a low water vapor transmission rate, which barrier layer comprises a metallic material. The imaging assembly has been found to provide better image quality and more consistence sensitometric response to pressure development.

Abstract: Provided is a media-fluid material set which comprises a media with a support that bears a hydrophilic receiving surface together with a fluid material comprising a liquid carrier medium and a reactive transition metal complex of a fluorinated organic acid. After application of the fluid material to the hydrophilic receiving surface, the reactive complex reacts to form an ink-releasing layer. Such a media-fluid material set can be advantageously used in preparing waterless lithographic printing plates with ink-releasing layers comprising such fluorinated reaction products. Also provided are imaged waterless lithographic printing plates with such ink-releasing layers made by an ink jet printing application or by laser-induced thermal ablation, and methods of making such waterless lithographic printing plates.

Abstract: Provided is a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate comprising a support having thereon an undercoat layer and a heat-sensitive layer in this order, with at least one of the undercoat layer and the heat-sensitive layer comprising polymer hollow microspheres having voids on the inside, or a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate comprising a support having thereon a heat-sensitive layer, with the heat-sensitive layer comprising polymer hollow microspheres having voids on the inside.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium comprising a light transmitting substrate, a light absorptive layer containing at least one light absorbing substance formed on the substrate and a light reflective layer made of a metal film formed on the light absorptive layer, wherein an optical parameter represented by &rgr;=nabsdabs/&lgr; wherein nabs is the real part of the complex refractive index of the light absorptive layer, dabs is the average thickness of the light absorptive layer and &lgr; is the wavelength of a reading laser beam, is 0.6<&rgr;<1.6.

Abstract: The invention relates to a positive-working IR-sensitive mixture which contains a binder which is insoluble in water but soluble or at least swellable in aqueous alkali and carbon black particles dispersed in such a binder, the dispersed carbon black particles forming the radiation-sensitive component essential for the imagewise differentiation. It furthermore relates to a recording material having a substrate and a radiation-sensitive layer comprising this mixture. If desired, a top layer is also present on the radiation-sensitive layer. Even without a top layer, the material is insensitive to white light. By imagewise exposure to IR radiation, especially from IR lasers or IR laser diodes, and subsequent development with an aqueous alkaline developer, there is produced from the recording material a printing plate for offset printing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a positive-working, radiation-sensitive mixture which contains an organic polymeric binder which is insoluble in water but soluble or at least swellable in aqueous alkaline solution and at least one IR-absorbing cyanine dye having a betaine structure or having a betaine structure and containing an anion and having the formula (I) 1

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate which comprises providing a photosensitive layer on an aluminum support obtained by treating an anodized aluminum substrate with an aqueous solution having a pH value of from 1.5 to 5 is disclosed.

Abstract: Multilayer photoimageable elements, useful for forming lithographic printing members, are disclosed. The elements comprise a support, a top layer, and a chemical resistant underlayer. The underlayer is resistant to aggressive washes, such as a UV wash. In one embodiment, the underlayer comprises a copolymer of N-substituted maleimide, methacrylamide, and methacrylic acid. A process for preparing a lithographic printing member is also disclosed.

Abstract: A planographic printing plate precursor comprising:

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate having an average curvature in a rolling direction of 1.5×10−3 mm−1 or less, a curvature distribution in a crosswise direction of 1.5×10−3 mm−1 or less, and a curvature in a direction perpendicular to said rolling direction of 1.0×10−3 mm−1 or less and a method for producing the printing plate are disclosed. A method for producing a support for a lithographic printing plate is also disclosed, which comprises roughening a surface of an aluminum web having a center line average surface roughness of 0.15 to 0.35 &mgr;m and a maximum surface roughness of 1 to 3.5 &mgr;m by at least one of mechanical surface roughening, chemical etching and electrochemical surface roughening, and then applying anodization thereto.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed, which comprises an aluminum support having provided thereon an ink-receptive layer and a hydrophilic layer containing a colloidal particle oxide or hydroxide of at least one element selected from the group consisting of beryllium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, titanium, boron, germanium, tin, zirconium, iron, vanadium, antimony and transition metals, wherein at least one layer of the ink-receptive layer and the hydrophilic layer contains a compound capable of converting light into heat, the aluminum support has an anodic oxide film in an amount of 2 g/m2 or more, and the anodic oxide film has been subjected to sealing treatment at a sealing rate of 50% or more.

Abstract: An ultraviolet-curable adhesive composition comprising a photopolymerization initiator whose molar absorption coefficient at a wavelength of 360-450 nm is at least 400 and an ultraviolet-curable compound. The adhesive composition of this invention can bond substrates which show transmittances of 0.01-20% to all of energy beams of a wavelength of 280-380 nm, to one another such as base boards for an optical disk.

Abstract: Thermally imageable lithographic printing plate precursors and heat-sensitive compositions for use in these printing plate precursors are disclosed. The compositions contain an aqueous developer soluble polymer, such as a phenolic resin; a compound that reduces the aqueous developer solubility of the polymer; and optionally, and infrared absorber. Examples of compounds that reduce the aqueous developer solubility of the polymer are those that contain at least one quarternized nitrogen atom, such as quinolinium compounds, benzothiazolium compounds, pyridinium compounds, and imidazoline compounds. On thermal imaging, the irradiated areas become more soluble in the aqueous developer and can be removed to form a positive image.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprises a grained and anodised aluminium substrate coated with a layer of metallic silver on top of which is applied a composition comprising an oleophilising agent and a proteolytic enzyme. Imagewise exposure of the precursor by means of a high intensity laser beam allows for the direct provision of press ready plates showing excellent start-up and clean-up properties on press and providing high image quality and high printing durability without the requirement for the use of intermediate film and developer chemistry. On exposure of the plate precursor, removal of the metallic layer occurs in the exposed areas.

Abstract: A photosensitive lithographic printing plate in which press life, deletion performance, photosensitive layer removability and image reproducibility are compatible with one another, while retaining scumming prevention performance, which comprises an aluminum support hydrophilized after anodic oxidization, an intermediate layer provided thereon containing an alkali-soluble polymer adjusted in a number-average molecular weight (Mn) to the range of 300 to 5,000 by using an initiator in combination with a chain transfer agent in radical polymerization, and a photosensitive layer provided on the intermediate layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particular acetal copolymers and radiation-sensitive compositions comprising said copolymers and, inter alia, are excellently suitable for the production of lithographic printing plates. In particular, the invention relates to acetal copolymers containing furylvinylidene, thienylvinylidene or pyrrolylvinylidene.

Abstract: Photosensitive polyesters having dye moieties incorporated into the polyester backbone are disclosed. The photosensitive polyesters contain an unsaturated photosensitive moiety comprising photopolymerizable —CH═CH—CO— groups and dye moieties derived from dyes that are copolymerizable diols. Negative-working photosensitive elements, such as negative-working printing plates, can be prepared using these photosensitive polyesters.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate which comprises providing a photosensitive layer on an aluminum support obtained by treating an anodized aluminum substrate with an aqueous solution having a pH value of from 1.5 to 5 is disclosed.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprises a grained and anodised aluminium substrate coated with a metallic layer, preferably a silver layer, on top of which is applied a layer of an oleophilic resin. Imagewise exposure of the precursor by means of a high intensity laser beam allows for the direct provision of press ready plates showing increased cleanliness in background areas and providing excellent start-up properties on press, high image quality and improved press durability, without the requirement for the use of intermediate film and developer chemistry, or the need for any post-exposure processing. Lower levels of metal deposition on the substrate surface result in the plate precursors showing enhanced sensitivity on exposure, whereupon removal of the metallic layer occurs in the exposed areas.

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: A photosensitive composition comprising (a) an ethylenically unsaturated double bond-containing compound, (b) a sensitizing dye and (c) a photopolymerization initiator, wherein the sensitizing dye is a phthalocyanine compound showing the maximum absorption within a range of from 750 to 1,200 nm.

Abstract: A photosensitive planographic printing plate precursor comprising an aluminum substrate surface treated such that the center line surface roughness thereof (Ra) is in a range of from 0.30 &mgr;m or more to 0.55 &mgr;m or less and a photosensitive layer provided on the substrate and comprised of a photosensitive composition containing (a) a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer, (b) a monomer or oligomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated double bond capable of photopolymerization, and (c) a photopolymerization initiation system having &lgr;max in a range of from 330 nm or more to 375 nm or less such that the light absorbance A at &lgr;max and the absorbance B at 400 nm fulfill a relationship of B/A<0.1. A preferred example of (a) the water-soluble polymer is a polymer containing a sulfonic acid (salt) group.

Abstract: A positive acting, heat-sensitive composition is presented, either coated on a lithographic base, or on a printing circuit board base, and comprises a water insoluble heat-sensitive resin, a novel adhesion promoter and a radiation absorbing agent—a dye or a pigment. An excellent film forming polymer that comprises acetal units directly pendant from the polymer polyvinyl alcohol backbone may be the only binder resin, when other resins being optional. The solubility of the coated material in the areas exposed to near-IR laser radiation in mild alkaline developers becomes considerably higher, allowing to obtain high resolved patterns of the etch-resistant material on printing circuit boards or lithographic printing plates. The composition can be applied on the substrate from a liquid or laminated as a dry film.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor, comprising a support having a hydrophilic surface on which (1) a thermal polymerization layer comprising an aqueous alkali-soluble polymer having addition polymerizable unsaturated bonds at its side chains and a thermal polymerization initiator and (2) a water-soluble overcoat layer comprising a water-soluble polymer and a compound capable of converting light into heat are provided in this order.

Abstract: This invention discloses a lithographic plate comprising on a roughened substrate a substantially conformal radiation-sensitive layer. The radiation-sensitive layer can be a photo hardenable or photo solubilizable layer, or can be a laser ablatable layer. The radiation-sensitive layer is substantially conformally coated on the roughened substrate surface in a way so that the surface of the radiation-sensitive layer has peaks and valleys substantially corresponding to the major peaks and valleys of the substrate microscopic surface. The lithographic plate of such a configuration can provide no or low tackiness and excellent block resistance, while allowing excellent press durability. For on-press developable lithographic plate, such a plate configuration also allows excellent on-press developability.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor which comprises a metal support having provided thereon a heat-insulating layer, a metal layer having a hydrophilic surface, and a lipophilic layer which is abraded by heating or whose solubility to alkali is transformed by heating, in this order from the support.

Abstract: A positive-working, radiation-sensitive mixture which contains an organic, polymeric binder which is insoluble in water but soluble or at least swellable in aqueous alkaline solution and at least one IR-absorbing dye, is described. A daylight-insensitive recording material which can be provided with an image using IR radiation and has a substrate and a layer comprising the mixture is also disclosed. After imagewise exposure, in particular to IR laser beams, and development with an aqueous alkaline solution, an offset printing plate can be formed therefrom.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a heat mode imaging element for making a lithographic printing plate having on a lithographic base with a hydrophilic surface a first layer including a polymer soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution, and a top layer on the same side of the lithographic base as the first layer that is IR-sensitive and unpenetrable for an aqueous alkaline developer wherein said first layer and said top layer may be one and the same layer; characterized in that the surface of said element upon exposure and treatment with an aqueous alkaline developer is such that

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate having an average curvature in a rolling direction of 1.5×10−3 mm−1 or less, a curvature distribution in a crosswise direction of 1.5×10−3 mm−1 or less, and a curvature in a direction perpendicular to said rolling direction of 1.0×10−3 mm−1 or less and a method for producing the printing plate are disclosed. A method for producing a support for a lithographic printing plate is also disclosed, which comprises roughening a surface of an aluminum web having a center line average surface roughness of 0.15 to 0.35 &mgr;m and a maximum surface roughness of 1 to 3.5 &mgr;m by at least one of mechanical surface roughening, chemical etching and electrochemical surface roughening, and then applying anodization thereto.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition comprising (a) an ethylenically unsaturated double bond-containing compound, (b) a sensitizing dye and (c) a photopolymerization initiator, wherein the sensitizing dye is a phthalocyanine compound showing the maximum absorption within a range of from 750 to 1,200 nm.

Abstract: A photosensitive lithographic printing plate has an aluminum support anodized and treated with an aqueous solution of polyvinylphosphonic acid adjusted to pH 1.5 or below to ensure no deterioration of impression capacity and prevention of the water-ink balance scum in the lithographic printing plate made therefrom even when a cleaner is used in the course of printing.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive composition is disclosed which includes a substance which absorbs light and generates heat, an anionic self water-dispersible resin particle having an acid value of 10 to 300 and an average particle diameter of 0.005 to 15 &mgr;m, and a fluorine base surfactant. An original plate for a lithographic printing plate is disclosed which includes an ordinary negative- or positive-type PS plate having coated thereon the heat-sensitive composition. The original plate is image-wise exposed with high energy density light based on digital image information from a computer, subjected to first development with an aqueous alkali solution, flood exposure with active light, a second development with a developer for a negative or a positive, and post-treatment to obtain a printing plate.

Abstract: A method of preparing a lithographic printing plate which involves providing a plate precursor comprising a grained and anodized aluminium substrate coated with a metallic silver layer, imagewise exposing the precursor by means of a high intensity laser beam, and treating the plate by chemical and mechanical means in order to remove stains on the plate surface. On exposure of the plate precursor, removal of the metallic silver layer occurs in the exposed areas. The method provides press ready plates free of background stain, which give a clean, even appearance in exposed areas and show high image resolution and excellent durability on press, while eliminating the requirement for the use of intermediate film and developer chemistry.

Abstract: A positive acting, photoimageable composition having, a photoacid generator capable of generating an acid upon exposure to actinic radiation, an organic acid anhydride polymer, an epoxy, a nitrogen-containing curing catalyst, and an optional phenol-containing monomer or polymer. A photographic element has this composition coated and dried on a substrate. A positive acting image is produced by imagewise exposing the element to actinic radiation, optionally postbaking and development with a liquid developer.