Lithographic Printing Plate Precursor Crosslinking and Sensitivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithographic printing plate precursors face challenges in achieving compatibility between good on-press development property, printing durability, and high sensitivity, particularly due to issues with polymerization efficiency and oxygen sensitivity, which are not adequately addressed by existing methods using polymerization reactions and protective layers.

Innovation Solution

A lithographic printing plate precursor is developed with an aluminum support and an image-recording layer containing an infrared absorbing agent, radical polymerization initiator, radical polymerizable monomer, fine polymer particles with polyalkylene oxide segments, and polyfunctional thiol compounds, which enhance crosslinking and sensitivity while minimizing the need for a protective layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective layer is added to improve printing durability and polymerization efficiency, then sensitivity and durability are enhanced, but on-press development property deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting durabilityVSAvoidon-press development property

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the image-recording layer by incorporating polyfunctional thiol compounds (with 2-10 mercapto groups per molecule) and fine polymer particles containing polyalkylene oxide segments. This compositional parameter change enables the layer to achieve crosslinking enhancement and water permeability improvement without requiring a protective layer, thus resolving the contradiction between printing durability and on-press development property

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite material system combining polyfunctional thiol compounds, fine polymer particles with polyalkylene oxide segments, radical polymerization initiators, and infrared absorbing agents. This composite formulation achieves synergistic effects where the thiol compounds provide crosslinking for durability while the polyalkylene oxide segments ensure water permeability for on-press development, eliminating the need for a protective layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If conventional polymerization reactions are used to form the image area, then image strength is achieved, but polymerization efficiency and sensitivity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage strengthVSAvoidpolymerization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the polymerization mechanism by using polyfunctional thiol compounds with multiple mercapto groups (2-10 per molecule) instead of conventional monofunctional or difunctional agents. This parameter change in functional group multiplicity enables rapid crosslinking reactions with high polymerization efficiency while maintaining strong image formation, achieving both image strength and high sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The polyfunctional thiol compounds act as powerful crosslinking agents that accelerate the polymerization process. The multiple mercapto groups per molecule enable rapid and extensive crosslinking reactions, significantly enhancing polymerization efficiency and sensitivity while ensuring complete image formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

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 achieves compatibility between on-press development property, printing durability, and high sensitivity by improving crosslinking and water permeability, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the image-recording process without compromising durability.

Implementation Method 1

an infrared absorbing agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a radical polymerization initiator; a radical polymerizable monomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

a compound having two or more mercapto group-containing groups per molecule

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2236291B1Lithographic printing plate precursor and plate making method thereof

Publication Date: 2011.11.02 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A lithographic printing plate precursor includes an aluminum support subjected to a roughening treatment and an image-recording layer containing an infrared absorbing agent, a radical polymerization initiator, a radical polymerizable monomer, a compound having two or more mercapto group-containing groups per molecule and a polymer particle containing a polyalkylene oxide segment.