Printing Plate
View Patent ↗A printing plate for computer-to plate lithography having a laser-ablatable member supported by a substrate. At least one portion of the laser-ablatable member is formed form an acrylic polymer containing laser-sensitive particles. The laser-sensitive particles absorb imaging radiation and cause the portion of the laser-ablatable member containing the laser sensitive particles and any overlying layers to be ablated.
1. A printing plate comprising:
a substrate having a principal surface;
an intermediate layer positioned upon said principal surface, and
a laser-ablatable member positioned upon said intermediate layer, said laser-ablatable member
comprising a first layer of a first polymeric composition comprising (i) an acrylic polymer, said acrylic polymer comprising an organophosphorous compound or a copolymer of acrylic acid and vinyl phosphonic acid, and (ii) a plurality of laser-sensitive particles, said polymeric composition being ablatable when a laser irradiates said laser-sensitive particles.
2. The printing plate of claim 1 wherein said substrate comprises metal, paper or plastic.
3. The printing plate of claim 2 wherein said substrate comprises aluminum.
4. The printing plate of claim 1 wherein said laser-sensitive particles are selected from the group consisting of a dye, a metal, a mineral and carbon.
5. The printing plate of claim 1 wherein said laser ablatable member further comprises a second layer, said second layer comprising a second polymeric composition selected from the group consisting of a hydrophilic acrylic polymer, a hydrophilic polypropylene composition or a silicone polymer.
6. The printing plate of claim 5 wherein said intermediate layer comprises a thermoplastic or elastomeric polymer.
7. A printing plate comprising:
a substrate having a principal surface; and
a laser-ablatable layer positioned on said principal surface, said laser-ablatable layer comprising a first polymeric composition comprising a plurality of laser-sensitive particles, said polymeric composition being ablatable when a laser irradiates said laser-sensitive particles, and a second polymeric composition having a different affinity for printing liquid from said first polymeric composition.