Lithographic Printing Plate Precursors With Silicon-Containing Image Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithographic printing plate precursors do not achieve an optimal surface state of the coating film, leading to uneven distribution and reduced wettability of dampening water, which affects the on-press developability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a (meth)acrylic polymer with a substituent containing two or more silicon atoms in the side chain, and a polymer with specific constitutional units, enhances the surface smoothness and wettability of the image-recording layer, improving the on-press developability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional image-recording layers are used, then the basic lithographic printing function is achieved, but the surface state of the coating film is insufficient leading to uneven wettability of dampening water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces polymers with specific silicon-containing substituents (such as silane groups) into the image-recording layer to modify its chemical composition and physical properties. This changes the surface energy parameters of the coating film, enabling uniform wettability by dampening water while maintaining coating integrity and preventing uneven distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite image-recording layer by combining conventional polymers with silicon-containing polymers (such as poly siloxane structures). This composite structure integrates the benefits of both material types: the structural integrity from conventional polymers and the surface wettability control from silicon-containing polymers, achieving both good coating film state and uniform dampening water distribution.
2Ease of operation
If the surface wettability is improved, then the on-press developability is enhanced, but the coating film uniformity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The silicon-containing polymer concentrates at the surface region of the image-recording layer due to its amphiphilic nature, creating local surface modification without altering the bulk composition. This local quality change improves surface wettability and on-press developability while the bulk coating maintains its original uniformity and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
By carefully controlling the molecular weight, concentration, and structural parameters of the silicon-containing polymer, the patent optimizes the balance between surface wettability and coating uniformity. The specific parameter adjustments ensure that surface modification does not compromise the overall coating film integrity or cause uneven distribution.
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 lithographic printing plate precursor achieves an excellent surface state with enhanced wettability and permeation of dampening water, resulting in improved on-press developability and printing durability.
Implementation Method 1
enhances the surface smoothness and wettability of the image-recording layer
Implementation Method 2
enhances the surface smoothness and wettability of the image-recording layer
Implementation Method 3
enhanced wettability and permeation of dampening water
Data Source
AI summary
A lithographic printing plate precursor includes: a support; and an image-recording layer on the support, and the image-recording layer contains (meth)acrylic polymer A having a substituent containing two or more silicon atoms in a side chain.