Waterless Lithographic Plate Precursor with Liquid Bubbles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursors produced by existing methods are highly sensitive initially but experience sensitivity degradation over time.
Innovation Solution
A directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor is developed with a heat sensitive layer containing liquid bubbles and a silicone rubber layer, where the heat sensitive layer includes a solvent with a solubility parameter of 17.0 (MPa) 1/2< or less and a boiling point in the range of 210 to 270°C, maintaining high sensitivity both initially and over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heat sensitive layer composition is used, then initial sensitivity is high, but sensitivity degrades over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the heat sensitive layer by incorporating liquid bubbles with specific boiling points (210-270°C) and solubility parameters (17.0 (MPa)1/2 or less). This parameter optimization ensures the liquid bubbles remain stable at storage temperatures while vaporizing at appropriate heating temperatures, maintaining sensitivity over time without degrading
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite heat sensitive layer comprising multiple components: polymer with active hydrogen, liquid bubbles containing specific liquids, and optionally inorganic particles. This composite structure combines the stability of the polymer matrix with the controlled vaporization of the liquid bubbles, achieving both initial sensitivity and long-term sensitivity maintenance
2Reliability
If liquid bubbles are added to heat sensitive layer, then sensitivity is maintained over time, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid bubbles are incorporated into the heat sensitive layer composition during the manufacturing process itself, rather than adding them later. The composition is prepared with the liquid bubbles already dispersed in the polymer matrix, and the layer is formed in a single coating and drying process, simplifying the overall manufacturing procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid bubbles serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as sensitivity-enhancing agents, provide long-term sensitivity stability through controlled vaporization, and contribute to the structural integrity of the heat sensitive layer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components or processes
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 precursor maintains high sensitivity and image reproducibility both immediately after production and after a period, with liquid bubbles in the heat sensitive layer persisting and ensuring consistent performance.
Implementation Method 1
the heat mode that uses photothermal conversion to cause thermal reaction
Implementation Method 2
liquid bubbles incorporating a liquid with a boiling point in the range of 210 to 270°C
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor that comprises at least a heat sensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer formed on a substrate in this order and has a high sensitivity not only immediately after the precursor production but also after the passage of time. In the directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor, the heat sensitive layer contains liquid bubbles filled with a liquid with a boiling point in the range of 210 to 270°C. Also provided is a production method for the directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor that comprises at least a step of applying a solution of a heat sensitive layer composition containing a solvent with a solubility parameter of 17.0 (MPa)1/2 or less and a boiling point in the range of 210 to 270°C and a solvent with a solubility parameter of more than 17.0 (MPa)1/2 over a substrate or a substrate coated with a resin layer, a step of drying said solution of a heat sensitive layer composition to form a heat sensitive layer, and a step of applying a silicone rubber layer composition over said heat sensitive layer to form a silicone rubber layer.