Lithographic Printing Plate Precursor With Nitrite-Nitrate Toplayer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithographic printing plates prone to defects and oxidation spots, especially under humid conditions, due to the presence of halogen ions in the coating, which affect image quality and printing performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a nitrite/nitrate salt and a halogenated binder in the toplayer of the printing plate precursor, which minimizes and prevents defects and oxidation spots on the aluminum support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If halogenated binder is used in the toplayer, then the sensitivity and image quality are improved, but defects and oxidation spots occur on the aluminum support under humid conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidoxidation spots and defects

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A nitrogen-containing compound (nitrite or nitrate salt) is introduced as an intermediary substance between the halogenated binder and the aluminum support. This intermediary prevents direct harmful interaction between halogen ions and the aluminum support, thereby preventing oxidation spots and defects while maintaining the halogenated binder's sensitivity-enhancing properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The nitrogen-containing compound converts the potentially harmful halogen ions into a beneficial configuration where they can enhance sensitivity without causing oxidation. The nitrogen compound acts as a protective agent that transforms the harmful oxidative effect into a controlled environment where halogenated binder functions positively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If halogen ions are present in the coating, then the coating provides necessary lithographic properties, but the aluminum support becomes prone to oxidation and defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithographic propertiesVSAvoidsupport stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The nitrogen-containing compound serves as a protective intermediary layer that allows halogen ions to remain in the coating for lithographic functionality while preventing them from reaching and oxidizing the aluminum support. This mediator maintains both the lithographic properties and support stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The nitrogen-containing compound is applied in advance to prevent the oxidation reaction before it occurs. By having the protective agent in place beforehand, the harmful oxidative action of halogen ions on the aluminum support is prevented proactively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Measurement precision

If the coating is made more sensitive to exposure, then the image quality improves, but the clean-out behavior deteriorates due to oxidation spots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidclean-out behavior

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The nitrogen-containing compound acts as a mediator that allows high sensitivity to be achieved with halogenated binder while preventing the oxidation spots that would otherwise degrade clean-out behavior. This enables both high image quality and good clean-out performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The nitrogen compound converts the potential harm of halogen-induced oxidation into a beneficial situation where sensitivity is enhanced without compromising clean-out behavior. The oxidation spots are prevented, maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Reduces the occurrence of defects and oxidation spots, improving the clean-out behavior and image quality of the printing plates, especially under humid conditions.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating a nitrite/nitrate salt and a halogenated binder in the toplayer of the printing plate precursor, which minimizes and prevents defects and oxidation spots on the aluminum support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation prevention: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

Photopolymer printing plates rely on a working-mechanism whereby the coating - which typically includes free radically polymerisable compounds - hardens upon exposure. '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.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

the lithographic printing plate precursors often contain a colorant such as a dye or a pigment in the coating. Such colorants provide, after processing, a contrast between the image areas containing the colorant and the hydrophilic support where the coating has been removed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3875271B1A lithographic printing plate precursor

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 ECO3 BV

AI summary

A lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed including a support and a coating comprising (i) a photopolymerisable layer including a polymerisable compound and a photoinitiator, and a toplayer provided above the photopolymerisable layer; characterized in that the toplayer includes a halogenated polymer and a nitrite and/or nitrate salt.