Water-Developable Flexo Plate Core-Shell Particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-developable flexographic printing plate precursors face issues with image reproducibility and contamination due to adhesion and aggregation of dispersion in the developer during repeated use and disposal.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating water-dispersible particles with a core having a glass transition temperature of ≤ 0°C and a shell having a glass transition temperature of ≥ 10°C into the photosensitive layer, which suppresses adhesion and aggregation of dispersion in the developer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water-developable flexographic printing plate precursors are used, then water developability is improved, but adhesion and aggregation of dispersion in the developer occur during repeated use and disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the glass transition temperature parameter of the polymer in the shell from ≤ 0°C to ≥ 10°C while maintaining the core polymer Tg ≤ 0°C. This parameter change in the shell polymer prevents adhesion and aggregation of dispersion during repeated use and disposal, while preserving water developability through the low Tg core polymer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite core-shell particle structure where the core contains a polymer with Tg ≤ 0°C and the shell contains a polymer with Tg ≥ 10°C. This composite structure combines the water developability provided by the low Tg core with the anti-adhesion properties of the high Tg shell, resolving the contradiction between water developability and dispersion stability.
2Productivity
If aqueous developer is reused, then productivity is improved, but contamination occurs due to adhesion of dispersion to printing plate
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the shell polymer Tg to ≥ 10°C, the invention prevents adhesion of dispersion to the printing plate during developer reuse, thereby eliminating contamination of printed matter while maintaining the ability to reuse the aqueous developer for improved productivity.
3Ease of operation
If aqueous developer is discarded, then ease of operation is improved, but clogging occurs due to aggregation of dispersion in drainage system
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the shell polymer Tg parameter to ≥ 10°C, which prevents aggregation of dispersion when the aqueous developer is diluted with water during disposal. This eliminates clogging of drainage pipes while maintaining ease of operation for developer disposal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Maintains good water developability while preventing adhesion and aggregation of dispersion in the developer, even during repeated use and disposal, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency and reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
water-dispersible particles which have a core containing a polymer and having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of ≤ 0°C and have a shell containing a polymer and having a Tg of ≥ 10°C
Implementation Method 2
a photopolymerization initiator
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a water-developable flexographic printing plate precursor, a flexographic printing plate, and a photosensitive resin composition, which can maintain good water developability and can suppress adhesion and aggregation of dispersion in the developer in a case of repeated use and disposal of the aqueous developer. The water-developable flexographic printing plate precursor of the present invention is a water-developable flexographic printing plate precursor including a photosensitive layer, in which the photosensitive layer contains water-dispersible particles, and the water-dispersible particles have a core containing a polymer and having a glass transition temperature of 0°C or lower and have a shell containing a polymer and having a glass transition temperature of 10°C or higher.