Lithographic Printing Plate Precursor With Thiol-Based Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithographic printing plates face challenges in achieving both sufficient clean-out behavior and high presslife, with issues such as incomplete removal of non-image areas leading to toning and reduced durability during printing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a compound with at least one thiol group and a group capable of adhering to the substrate in the photopolymerizable layer, which enhances adhesion and improves clean-out behavior while maintaining press durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lithographic printing plates are used, then the basic printing function is achieved, but incomplete removal of non-image areas leads to toning and reduced press durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the photopolymerizable layer by incorporating specific compounds with thiol groups and substrate-adhering groups. This changes the adhesion characteristics and clean-out behavior of the coating, enabling complete removal of non-image areas without toning while maintaining high press durability through enhanced chemical bonding mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite photopolymerizable layer containing multiple functional components: photopolymerizable compounds, thiol-containing compounds for adhesion, and substrate-adhering groups. This composite formulation synergistically combines clean-out performance with press durability, resolving the contradiction between complete image area removal and prevention of non-image area toning.
2Manufacturing precision
If the coating is made more soluble for better clean-out, then non-image areas are removed more completely, but press durability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different functional zones within the photopolymerizable layer: areas with enhanced solubility for complete clean-out of non-image areas, and areas with strong adhesion properties for maintaining press durability in image areas. The thiol-containing compounds and substrate-adhering groups provide localized adhesion enhancement that persists through the printing process.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If strong adhesion compounds are added to improve press durability, then presslife is extended, but clean-out behavior deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior in the adhesion mechanism: the thiol-containing compounds and substrate-adhering groups provide strong initial adhesion that allows complete clean-out of non-image areas, then maintain stable adhesion during the printing process. The adhesion strength is dynamically optimized to be sufficient for clean-out but not so strong as to prevent complete removal of non-image areas.
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
The solution results in improved clean-out performance and extended presslife, ensuring complete removal of non-image areas and preventing ink acceptance in non-printing regions, thereby enhancing print quality and press durability.
Implementation Method 1
a compound containing at least one thiol group and at least one group capable of adhering to the substrate
Implementation Method 2
Hardens means that the coating becomes insoluble or non-dispersible in the developing solution and may be achieved through polymerization and/or crosslinking of the photosensitive coating upon exposure to light and/or heat
Data Source
AI summary
A lithographic printing plate precursor including on a substrate which has a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a coating comprising a photopolymerisable layer including a polymerisable compound, a photoinitiator and adhesion promoting compound containing at least one thiol group and at least one group capable of adhering to the substrate.