Photosensitive Resin Composition for Flexographic Printing Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional photosensitive resin compositions for flexographic printing plates face challenges in achieving both high cold flow resistance and image reproducibility, as improving one property often compromises the other, and existing solutions do not adequately address the durability and chipping resistance of printing plates.

Innovation Solution

A photosensitive resin composition comprising a thermoplastic elastomer, a butadiene-based polymer with a number-average molecular weight of 10,000 to 60,000 and a 1,2-vinyl content of not more than 25%, along with a photopolymerizable unsaturated monomer and initiator, which is formulated to provide enhanced mechanical strength and image reproducibility without compromising durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the physical strength of the resin composition is raised to improve cold flow resistance and durability, then cold flow resistance and chipping resistance are improved, but image reproducibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecold flow resistanceVSAvoidimage reproducibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the molecular weight (10,000 to 60,000) and 1,2-vinyl content (not more than 25%) of the butadiene-based polymer to achieve the optimal balance between cold flow resistance and image reproducibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material system combining thermoplastic elastomer with specifically controlled butadiene-based polymer, where the composite structure enables simultaneous achievement of mechanical strength and fine line reproduction characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the physical strength of the resin composition is raised to improve durability and chipping resistance, then printing durability is improved, but image reproducibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting durabilityVSAvoidimage reproducibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the molecular weight (10,000 to 60,000) and 1,2-vinyl content (not more than 25%) of the butadiene-based polymer to achieve the optimal balance between cold flow resistance and image reproducibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material system combining thermoplastic elastomer with specifically controlled butadiene-based polymer, where the composite structure enables simultaneous achievement of mechanical strength and fine line reproduction characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 composition simultaneously achieves high cold flow resistance, image reproducibility, and printing durability, maintaining printing quality and preventing chipping, even under repeated contact with ink rolls and substrates.

Implementation Method 1

a photosensitive resin composition comprising a thermoplastic elastomer (A), a polymer (B) comprising butadiene as a main component, a photopolymerizable unsaturated monomer (C) and a photopolymerization initiator (D)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS7960088B2Photosensitive resin for flexographic printing plate
Publication Date: 2011.06.14 ASAHI KASEI CHEM CORP

AI summary

Disclosed is a photosensitive resin composition for flexographic printing plates containing a thermoplastic elastomer (A), a polymer (B) mainly composed of butadiene, a photopolymerizable unsaturated monomer (C) and a photopolymerization initiator (D) (which composition substantially contains no hydrophilic polymers). In this photosensitive resin composition for flexographic printing plates, the number average molecular weight of the polymer (B) is not less than 10,000 and not more than 60,000, and the 1, 2 vinyl content in the total double bonds of the polymer (B) is not more than 25%.