(19)
(11) EP 1 614 541 A2

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
11.01.2006 Bulletin 2006/02

(21) Application number: 05106259.4

(22) Date of filing: 08.07.2005
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B41C 1/10(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL BA HR MK YU

(30) Priority: 08.07.2004 EP 04103252
21.06.2005 EP 05105440

(71) Applicant: AGFA-GEVAERT
2640 Mortsel (BE)

(72) Inventors:
  • Callant, Paul
    2640, Mortsel (BE)
  • Loccufier, Johan
    2640, Mortsel (BE)
  • Williamson, Alexander
    2640, Mortsel (BE)
  • Andriessen, Hieronymus
    2640, Mortsel (BE)
  • Jung, Jürgen
    2640, Mortsel (BE)
  • Geukens, Christel
    2640, Mortsel (BE)
  • Louwet, Jos
    2640, Mortsel (BE)
  • Van Damme, Marc
    2640, Mortsel (BE)
  • Vermeersch, Joan
    2640, Mortsel (BE)

   


(54) Method of making a lithographic printing plate.


(57) A method for making a lithographic printing plate is disclosed which comprises the steps of :

i) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising

  • an aluminum support with a grained and anodized surface having CIE 1976 color coordinates L*sup which is not less than 70 and a*sup and b*sup each in the range from -4 to +4; and
  • a coating on said support which comprises an image-recording layer comprising an infrared-sensitized photopolymerizable or photocurable composition; which together form a coated support having a CIE 1976 lightness value L*nonexp which is not less than 50;

ii) image-wise exposing the coating to infrared light, thereby

  • inducing polymerization or curing of the composition at exposed areas; and
  • forming a visible print-out image in the coating of which the lightness difference ΔL* is at least 5, wherein ΔL* is defined as L*nonexp minus L*exp, wherein L*exp is the CIE 1976 lightness value of the coated support at exposed areas;

iii) removing non-exposed areas of the coating with a developer. The combination of an essentially white support, an essentially colorless or only slightly colored coating and a lightness difference between non-exposed and exposed areas of at least 5 provides a print-out image with a high contrast, which enables convenient image quality control before developing the plate.




Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION



[0001] The present invention relates to a method for making a lithographic printing plate by exposing a heat-sensitive, negative working lithographic printing plate precursor to infrared light, thereby forming a visible image immediately after the exposure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION



[0002] Lithographic printing presses use a so-called printing master such as a printing plate which is mounted on a cylinder of the printing press. The master carries a lithographic image on its surface and a print is obtained by applying ink to said image and then transferring the ink from the master onto a receiver material, which is typically paper. In conventional, so-called "wet" lithographic printing, ink as well as an aqueous fountain solution (also called dampening liquid) are supplied to the lithographic image which consists of oleophilic (or hydrophobic, i.e. ink-accepting, water-repelling) areas as well as hydrophilic (or oleophobic, i.e. water-accepting, ink-repelling) areas. In so-called driographic printing, the lithographic image consists of ink-accepting and ink-abhesive (ink-repelling) areas and during driographic printing, only ink is supplied to the master.

[0003] Printing masters are generally obtained by the image-wise exposure and processing of an imaging material called plate precursor. In addition to the well-known photosensitive, so-called pre-sensitized plates, which are suitable for UV contact exposure through a film mask, also heat-sensitive printing plate precursors have become very popular in the late 1990s. Such thermal materials offer the advantage of daylight stability and are especially used in the so-called computer-to-plate method wherein the plate precursor is directly exposed, i.e. without the use of a film mask. The material is exposed to heat or to infrared light and the generated heat triggers a (physico-)chemical process, such as ablation, polymerization, insolubilization by crosslinking of a polymer, heat-induced solubilization, or by particle coagulation of a thermoplastic polymer latex.

[0004] Although some of these thermal processes enable plate making without wet processing, the most popular thermal plates form an image by a heat-induced solubility difference in an alkaline developer between exposed and non-exposed areas of the coating. The coating typically comprises a hydrophobic layer of which the rate of dissolution in the developer is either reduced (negative working) or increased (positive working) by the image-wise exposure. During processing, the solubility differential leads to the removal of the non-image (non-printing) areas of the coating, thereby revealing the hydrophilic support, while the image (printing) areas of the coating remain on the support.

[0005] Plates comprising an infrared-sensitized photopolymerizable or infrared-sensitized photocurable coating are typical examples of negative-working thermal plates. Such plates have been described in e.g. US4997745, US5514521, US5275917, EP-A 611997, US5705309 and EP-A 889363. Infrared-sensitized photopolymer plates which are especially designed for on-press processing have been described in e.g. EP-A 1315998, US2002/177074, US6576401, EP-A 1495866, EP-A 1506855 EP-A 1516724, EP-A 1518672 and EP-A 1520694. Such plates are developed by mounting the exposed precursor on the plate cylinder of a lithographic printing press and starting a press run : the non-exposed areas of the coating are removed by the ink and/or fountain that is supplied to the plate.

[0006] It is beneficial that the exposed plate precursor shows a visible image even before being processed, i.e. a print-out image. This enables the end-user to establish immediately whether or not the precursor has already been exposed, to inspect the image quality on the printing plate and to distinguish the different color selections. Photopolymer plates that produce a print-out image are known in the art, e.g. as disclosed in US 3,359,109, US 3,042,515, US 4,258,123, US 4,139,390, US 5,141,839, US 5,141,842, US 4,232,106, US 4,425,424, US 5,030,548, US 4,598,036, EP 0 434 968, WO 96/35143 and US 2003/68575. In these materials the print-out image formation is triggered by the photoinitiating system which also induces the photopolymerization of the image-recording layer. As a result, the print-out image formation leads to a reduced sensitivity of the lithographic imaging process.

[0007] In thermal plates a color change can be obtained by the addition of a heat-decomposable dye which is bleached upon heating. Such materials are disclosed in e.g. DD 213 530, EP 897 134, EP 0 925 916, WO 96/35143, EP 1 300 241 and EP 1 508 440. Another approach is followed in EP 0 925 916 and US 2004/134365 wherein IR dyes are disclosed of which the light absorption changes upon IRradiation. In the latter prior art materials, the IR dyes exhibit, beside strong absorption in IR wavelength range, also side-absorption in the visible wavelength range. Due to IR-exposure the IR dye decomposes and a print-out image is obtained by the reduction of this side-absorption in the visible wavelength range.

[0008] A problem of these prior art materials is that the print-out image is formed by a heat-induced reduction of the visible light absorption of the coating or by a switch from a highly colored to a weakly colored coating. Such bleaching processes produce print-out images which are characterized by a low contrast between the exposed and the non-exposed areas. A better contrast can be obtained by forming -rather than bleaching- a dye upon exposure or by a color switch from one hue to another upon exposure. Only a few examples of lithographic printing plates using such systems are known in the prior art. EP-A 1502736 discloses printing plates comprising a dye of which the absorption maximum shifts by at least 50 nm upon heating. EP-A 1508440 discloses printing plates comprising an infrared dye as light-to-heat converter and a dye precursor which forms a visible color upon heating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for making a lithographic printing plate by means of a heat-sensitive precursor which forms a high contrast print-out image immediately after exposure to infrared light. The combination of the following essential features, as defined in claim 1, provide a solution for this object :
  • the support of the plate precursor is an aluminum support with a grained and anodized surface that appears essentially white, i.e. which has CIE 1976 lightness values L* higher than 70 and CIE 1976 color coordinates a* and b* each in the range from -4 to +4; these L*, a* and b* color coordinates of the support are referred to hereafter as L*sup, a*sup and b*sup respectively.
  • the visible light absorption of the coating on said support is low, so that the complete material (i.e. support + coating) has a CIE 1976 lightness value L* which is not less than 50; this lightness value of the coated support in the non-exposed state is referred to hereafter as L*nonexp.
  • a visible color is formed or changed by the exposure, whereby a print-out image is formed of which the lightness difference ΔL* is at least 5; ΔL* is defined as the CIE 1976 lightness value L* at non-exposed areas (i.e. L*nonexp defined above) minus the CIE 1976 lightness value L* at exposed areas, the latter being referred to hereafter as L*exp.

The combination of a bright, white support, a coating which is essentially colorless or only slightly colored and a lightness difference of at least 5 between non-exposed and exposed areas provides a crisp print-out image, which enables convenient quality control of the image before developing the plate.

[0010] Surprisingly, a smooth support contributes also to a better visible contrast, probably because it shows a higher light reflection. This additional benefit is defined in claims 9 and 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION



[0011] The CIE 1976 color coordinates L*, a* and b* discussed herein are part of the well-known CIE (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage) system of tristimulus color coordinates, which also includes the additional chroma value C* defined as C* = [(a)2 + (b)2]1/2. The CIE 1976 color system is described in e.g. "Colorimetry, CIE 116-1995: Industrial Colour Difference Evaluation", or in "Measuring Colour" by R.W.G. Hunt, second edition, edited in 1992 by Ellis Horwood Limited, England.

[0012] CIE L*-a*-b* values discussed and reported herein have been measured following the ASTM E308-85 method.

The coating



[0013] The coating on the support may comprise one or more layer(s). Coating a plurality of layers may be carried out by the simultaneous coating of a plurality of coating solutions with a multi-layer coating head, using the known coating techniques, or by the subsequent coating of a plurality of coating solutions using single-layer coating heads, either with or without intermediate drying (respectively wet-on-dry or wet-on-wet).

[0014] In one of its layer, the coating preferably contains a compound, sometimes referred to as "sensitizer", which absorbs infrared light and converts the absorbed infrared light into heat. These infrared absorbers can be used in combination with the color-forming infrared dyes discussed below. Alternatively, the color-forming infrared dye is the only infrared absorber in the coating. Since the coating is essentially colorless or only slightly colored, it is preferred that the infrared dye does not show a substantial light absorption in the visible wavelength range. For the same reason, the amount of dyes or pigments that show visible light absorption in the coating is kept low, so that the material has a CIE 1976 lightness value L*nonexp which is not less than 50, preferably not less than 60.

[0015] Another parameter that quantifies how a human observer perceives light absorption is the ISO visual density (as described in ISO document CD 5.1 to 5.4 of 30 January 2002). This parameter is similar to the well-known optical density (absorbance) but also takes into account that the sensitivity of the human eye is not the same over the whole visible wavelength range. Preferred plate precursors (support + coating) for use in the method of the present invention have a visual density in the nonexposed state of at most 0.6, more preferably at most 0.5.

[0016] The amount of infrared absorbing agent in the coating is preferably between 0.25 and 25.0 % by weight, more preferably between 0.5 and 20.0 % by weight. The infrared absorbing compound can be present in the image-recording layer and/or an optional other layer. In the embodiment wherein the infrared absorbing agent is present in the image-recording layer of the coating, its concentration is preferably at least 6 % by weight, more preferably at least 8 % by weight, relative to the weight of all the components in the image-recording layer.

[0017] Preferred IR absorbing compounds are organic dyes having an absorption between 750 nm and 1300 nm, preferably between 780 nm and 1200 nm, more preferably between 800 nm and 1100 nm, such as cyanine, merocyanine, indoaniline, oxonol, pyrilium and squarilium dyes. Examples of suitable IR absorbers may be found in EP 1 359 008, including the references cited therein. Other suitable sensitizers are disclosed in US 6,410,205, US 5,049,479, EP 1 079 276, EP 1 369 232, EP 1 369 231, EP 1 341 040, US 2003/0124460, EP 1 241 002 and EP 1 288 720.

[0018] The coating may also contain one or more additional layer(s) besides the image-recording layer. Besides the additional layer already discussed above - i.e. an optional light-absorbing layer comprising one or more compounds that are capable of converting infrared light into heat - the coating may further comprise for example an adhesion-improving layer between the image-recording layer and the support. Also compounds may be present which are capable of interacting with the surface of the support, e.g. the compounds described in EP-A 1495866, EP-A 1500498 and EP-A 1520694.

[0019] It is also well known to provide a layer on top of the image-recording layer which protects the photopolymerizable or photocurable composition from atmospheric oxygen. Suitable composition of such top coats are described in e.g. EP-A 1315998, US2002/177074, US6576401, EP-A 1495866, EP-A 1506855 EP-A 1516724, EP-A 1518672 and EP-A 1520694.

[0020] Optionally, the coating may further contain additional ingredients. These ingredients may be present in the image-recording layer or in on optional other layer. For example, additional binders, polymer particles such as matting agents and spacers, surfactants such as perfluoro surfactants, fillers such as silicon or titanium dioxide particles, development inhibitors or development accelerators are well-known components of lithographic coatings.

The image-recording layer



[0021] Typical infrared-sensitized photopolymerizable or photocurable compositions have been described in e.g. EP-A 1315998, US2002/177074, US6576401, EP-A 1495866, EP-A 1506855 EP-A 1516724, EP-A 1518672 and EP-A 1520694. The coating thickness of the image-recording layer is preferably between 0.1 and 4.0 g/m2, more preferably between 0.4 and 2.0 g/m2.

[0022] The photopolymerizable composition typically comprises a polymerizable monomer or oligomer and an initiator capable of hardening said monomer or oligomer and, preferably, a sensitizer capable of absorbing light used in the image-wise exposure step. In one embodiment, the composition comprises a polymerizable monomer or oligomer comprising at least one epoxy or vinyl ether functional group and an initiator which is a Bronsted acid generator capable of generating a free acid upon exposure, hereinafter also referred to as "cationic photoinitiator" or "cationic initiator". Suitable polyfunctional epoxy monomers include, for example, 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxycyclohex-ane carboxylate, bis-(3,4 - epoxycyclohexymethyl) adipate, difunctional bisphenol A epichlorohydrin epoxy resin and multifunctional epichlorohydrinitetraphenylol ethane epoxy resin. Suitable cationic photoinitiators include, for example, triarylsulfonium hexafluoroantimonate, triarylsulfonium hexafluorophosphate, diaryliodonium hexafluoroantimonate, and haloalkyl substituted s-triazine. It is noted that most cationic initiators are also free radical initiators because, in addition to generating a free acid, they also generate free radicals during photo or thermal decomposition.

[0023] In another embodiment, the polymerizable monomer or oligomer is an ethylenically unsaturated compound, having at least one terminal ethylenic group, hereinafter also referred to as "free-radical polymerizable monomer", and said initiator is a compound which is capable of generating free radical upon exposure, hereinafter also referred to as "free radical initiator". Suitable free-radical polymerizable monomers include, for example, multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomers (such as (meth)acrylate esters of ethylene glycol, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, ethoxylated ethylene glycol and ethoxylated trimethylolpropane, multifunctional urethanated (meth)acrylate, and epoxylated (meth)acrylate), and oligomeric amine diacrylates. The (meth)acrylic monomers may also have other double bond or epoxide group, in addition to (meth)acrylate group. The (meth)acrylate monomers may also contain an acidic (such as carboxylic acid) or basic (such as amine) functionality.

[0024] Suitable free-radical initiators include, for example, the derivatives of acetophenone (such as 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, and 2-methyl-1-[4-(methylthio) phenyl-2-morpholino propan-1-one); benzophenone; benzil; ketocoumarin (such as 3-benzoyl-7-methoxy coumarin and 7-methoxy coumarin); xanthone; thioxanthone; benzoin or an alkyl-substituted anthraquinone; onium salts (such as diaryliodonium hexafluoroantimonate, diaryliodonium triflate, (4-(2-hydroxytetradecyl-oxy)-phenyl) phenyliodonium hexafluoroantimonate, triarylsulfonium hexafluorophosphate, triarylsulfonium p-toluenesulfonate, (3-phenylpropan-2-onyl) triaryl phosphonium hexafluoroantimonate, and N-ethoxy(2-methyl)pyridinium hexafluorophosphate, and onium salts as described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,955,238,6,037,098, and 5,629,354); borate salts (such as tetrabutylammonium triphenyl(n-butyl)borate, tetraethylammonium triphenyl(n-butyl)borate, diphenyliodonium tetraphenylborate, and triphenylsulfonium triphenyl(n-butyl)borate, and borate salts as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,232,038 and 6,218,076,); haloalkyl substituted s-triazines (such as 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(p-methoxy-styryl)-s-triazine, 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(4-methoxy-naphth-1-yl)-s-triazine, 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-piperonyl-s-triazine, and 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-[(4 -ethoxy-ethylenoxy)-phen-1-yl]-s-triazine, and s-triazines as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,955,238, 6,037,098, 6,010,824 and 5,629,354); and titanocene (bis(etha.9-2,4-cyclopentadien-1-yl) bis[2,6-difluoro-3-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)phenyl) titanium). Onium salts, borate salts, and s-triazines are preferred free radical initiators. Diaryliodonium salts and triarylsulfonium salts are preferred onium salts. Triarylalkylborate salts are preferred borate salts. Trichloromethyl substituted s-triazines are preferred s-triazines.

[0025] In still another embodiment, the polymerizable monomer or oligomer is a combination of a monomer or oligomer comprising at least one epoxy or vinyl ether functional group and a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compound, having at least one terminal ethylenic group, and said initiator is a combination of a cationic initiator and a free-radical initiator. A monomer or oligomer comprising at least one epoxy or vinyl ether functional group and a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compound, having at least one terminal ethylenic group, can be the same compound wherein the compound contains both ethylenic group and epoxy or vinyl ether group. Examples of such compounds include epoxy functional acrylic monomers, such as glycidyl acrylate. The free radical initiator and the cationic initiator can be the same compound if the compound is capable of generating both free radical and free acid. Examples of such compounds include various onium salts such as diaryliodonium hexafluoroantimonate and s-triazines such as 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-[(4-ethoxyethylenoxy)-phen-1-yl]-s-triazine which are capable of generating both free radical and free acid in the presence of a sensitizer.

[0026] The photopolymerizable composition may also comprise a multifunctional monomer. This monomer contains at least two functional groups selected from an ethylenically unsaturated group and/or an epoxy or vinyl ether group. Particular multifunctional monomers for use in the photopolymer composition are disclosed in US 6,410,205 , US 5,049,479 , EP 1079276 , EP 1369232 , EP 1369231 EP 1341040 , US 2003/0124460 , EP 1241002 , EP 1288720 and in the reference book including the cited refences : Chemistry & Technology UV & EB formulation for coatings, inks & paints - Volume 2 - Prepolymers and Reactive Diluents for UV and EB Curable Formulations by N.S. Allen, M.A. Johnson, P.K.T. Oldring, M.S. Salim - Edited by P.K.T. Oldring - 1991 - ISBN 0 947798102.

[0027] The photopolymerizable composition may also comprise a co-initiator. Typically, a co-initiator is used in combination with a free radical initiator and/or cationic initator. Particular coinitiators for use in the photopolymer composition are disclosed in US 6,410,205 , US 5,049,479 , EP 1079276 , 1369232 , EP 1369231 EP 1341040 , US 2003/0124460 , EP 1241002 , EP 1288720 and in the reference book including the cited refences : Chemistry & Technology UV & EB formulation for coatings, inks & paints - Volume 3 - Photoinitiators for Free Radical and Cationic Polymerisation by K.K. Dietliker - Edited by P.K.T. Oldring - 1991 - ISBN 0 947798161.

[0028] The photopolymerizable composition may also comprise an inhibitor. Particular inhibitors for use in the photopolymer composition are disclosed in US 6,410,205 and EP 1288720.

[0029] The photopolymerizable composition may also comprise a binder. The binder can be selected from a wide series of organic polymers. Compositions of different binders can also be used. Useful binders include for example chlorinated polyalkylene (in particular chlorinated polyethylene and chlorinated polypropylene), polymethacrylic acid alkyl esters or alkenyl esters (in particular polymethyl (meth)acrylate, polyethyl (meth)acrylate, polybutyl (meth)acrylate, polyisobutyl (meth)acrylate, polyhexyl (meth)acrylate, poly(2-ethylhexyl) (meth)acrylate and polyalkyl (meth)acrylate copolymers of (meth) acrylic acid alkyl esters or alkenyl esters with other copolymerizable monomers (in particular with (met)acrylonitrile, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, styrene and/or butadiene), polyvinyl chloride (PVC, vinylchloride/(meth)acrylonitrile copolymers, polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), vinylidene chloride/(meth)acrylonitrile copolymers, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, poly (meth)acrylonitrile, (meth)acrylonitrile/styrene copolymers, (meth)acrylamide/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymers, (meth)acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene (ABS) terpolymers, polystyrene, poly(α-methylstyrene), polyamides, polyurthanes, polyesters, methyl cellulose, ethylcellulose, acetyl cellulose, hydroxy-(C1-C4-alkyl)cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinyl formal and polyvinyl butyral.

[0030] In order to facilitate on-press processing, preferred binders are hydrophilic such as binders containing carboxylic groups, in particular copolymers containing monomeric units of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids or monomeric units of α,β-unsaturated dicarboxylic acids (preferably acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, vinylacetic acid, maleic acid or itaconic acid). The term "copolymers" is to be understood in the context of the present invention as polymers containing units of at least 2 different monomers, thus also terpolymers and higher mixed polymers. Particular examples of useful copolymers are those containing units of (meth)acrylic acid and units of alkyl (meth)acrylates, allyl (meth)acrylates and/or (meth)acrylonitrile as well as copolymers containing units of crotonic acid and units of alkyl (meth)acrylates and/or (meth)acrylonitrile and vinylacetic acid/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymers. Also suitable are copolymers containing units of maleic anhydride or maleic acid monoalkyl esters. Among these are, for example, copolymers containing units of maleic anhydride and styrene, unsaturated ethers or esters or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons and the esterification products obtained from such copolymers. Further suitable binders are products obtainable from the conversion of hydroxyl-containing polymers with intramolecular dicarboxylic anhydrides. Further useful binders are polymers in which groups with acid hydrogen atoms are present, some or all of which are converted with activated isocyanates. Examples of these polymers are products obtained by conversion of hydroxyl-containing polymers with aliphatic or aromatic sulfonyl isocyanates or phosphinic acid isocyanates. Also suitable are polymers with aliphatic or aromatic hydroxyl groups, for example copolymers containing units of hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates, allyl alcohol, hydroxystyrene or vinyl alcohol, as well as epoxy resins, provided they carry a sufficient number of free OH groups. Particular useful binder and particular useful reactive binders are disclosed in EP 1 369 232, EP 1 369 231, EP 1 341 040, US 2003/0124460, EP 1 241 002, EP 1 288 720, US 6,027,857, US 6,171,735 and US 6,420,089.

[0031] The organic polymers used as binders have a typical mean molecular weight Mw between 600 and 200 000, preferably between 1 000 and 100 000. Preference is further given to polymers having an acid number between 10 to 250, preferably 20 to 200, or a hydroxyl number between 50 and 750, preferably between 100 and 500. The amount of binder(s) generally ranges from 10 to 90 % by weight, preferably 20 to 80 % by weight, relative to the total weight of the non-volatile components of the composition.

[0032] Various surfactants may be added into the photopolymerizable composition to allow or enhance the developability of the precursor. Both polymeric and small molecule surfactants can be used. Nonionic surfactants are preferred. Preferred nonionic surfactants are polymers and oligomers containing one or more polyether (such as polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and copolymer of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol) segments. Examples of preferred nonionic surfactants are block copolymers of propylene glycol and ethylene glycol (also called block copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide); ethoxylated or propoxylated acrylate oligomers; and polyethoxylated alkylphenols and polyethoxylated fatty alcohols. The nonionic surfactant is preferably added in an amount ranging between 0.1 and 30% by weight of the photopolymerizable composition, more preferably between 0.5 and 20%, and most preferably between 1 and 15%.

The visible print-out image



[0033] The coating is capable of producing a visible print-out image upon exposure to infrared light. The print-out image is characterized by a contrast between exposed and non-exposed areas which is quantified by the CIE 1976 lightness difference ΔL*, measured immediately after exposure, i.e. before the exposed plate precursor is developed, of at least 5. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, ΔL* is preferably at least 8, more preferably at least 10, and most preferably at least 15.

[0034] Said lightness difference ΔL* is defined as follows :


wherein L*nonexp is the CIE 1976 lightness value of the material at non-exposed areas and L*exp is the CIE 1976 lightness value of the material at exposed areas.

[0035] A quantitative measure of the color difference ΔE between the print-out image (exposed areas) and the background (non-exposed areas) can be calculated by the equation


wherein ΔC*, Δa* and Δb* are the differences between the non-exposed and the exposed areas, measured immediately after the exposure step, of the CIE 1976 color coordinate values C*, a* and b* respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the color difference ΔE between the non-exposed and exposed areas is at least 5, preferably at least 10, more preferably at least 15 and most preferably at least 18.

[0036] The compounds, which produce the print-out image upon infrared exposure, can be present in the image-recording layer and/or optionally in (an)other layer(s) of the coating. The following embodiments of color forming compounds can be used :

1. A dye which undergoes a color change as described in EP-A 1502736.

2. More preferred, a dye precursor as described in EP-A 1508440 can also be used.

3. According to another preferred embodiment, the coating comprises a product DQ which is obtained by

  • the step of coating a solution or dispersion comprising a nucleophilic compound Q and a dye D selected from the list consisting of di- or tri-arylmethane dyes, cyanine dyes, styryl dyes and merostyryl dyes; or by
  • the steps of coating a solution or dispersion comprising said compound Q and coating another solution or dispersion comprising said dye D;


wherein D and Q interact to form interaction product DQ, wherein DQ has a lower white light absorption than D, and wherein said interaction product DQ is capable of at least partially releasing a dye during the exposure step, thereby forming the visible print-out image in the coating.

[0037] The interaction between D and Q may be a reaction whereby the compound Q and the dye D are covalently and/or ionically bound to each other, or whereby D and Q form a complex and/or one ore more hydrogen bonds. D and Q may be added to the coating solution of the image-recording layer or to another layer of the coating, e.g. a layer on top of the coating or an intermediate layer between the support and the image-recording layer or another intermediate layer between the top layer and the image-recording layer. D and Q may first be allowed to form the interaction product DQ which is then added to a coating solution or D and Q may be coated in separate layers and are then allowed to interact by diffusion between said layers.

[0038] The interaction between D and Q reduces the white light absorption of the dye D. Said reduction of the white light absorption of D due to the interaction with Q can be measured by comparing the white light optical density of a coating comprising D and Q with the white light optical density of the same coating without Q. Upon image-wise exposure to infrared light, said interaction product DQ at least partially releases a dye, possibly D, and thereby forms the visible print-out image.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the dye D is a di- or tri-arylmethane dye wherein an aryl group is substituted with an amino group, hereinafter also referred to as a "amino substituted di- or tri-aryl methane dye". Specific examples of such amino substituted di- or tri-aryl methane dyes are given in the following list. In this list the dyes are mentioned in their reduced form (also called "leuco form" or "leuco dye") having one or two hydrogen atoms, the removal of which together with one or two electrons produces the dyes D which are suitable in the present invention.

A. AMINOTRIARYLMETHANES



[0040] 

bis(4-amino-2-butylphenyl) (p-dimethylaminophenyl)-methane

bis(4-amino-2-chlorophenyl) (p-aminophenyl)methane

bis(4-amino-3-chlorophenyl) (o-chlorophenyl)methane

bis(4-amino-3-chlorophenyl)phenylmethane

bis(4-amino-3,5-diethylphenyl) (o-chlorophenyl)-methane

bis(4-amino-3,5-diethylphenyl) (o-ethoxyphenyl)-methane

bis(4-amino-3,5-diethylphenyl) (P-methoxyphenyl)-methane

bis(4-amino-3,5-diethylphenyl)phenylmethane

bis(4-amino-ethylphenyl) (o-chlorophenyl)methane

bis(p-aminophenyl) (4-amino-m-tolyl)methane

bis(p-aminophenyl) (o-chlorophenyl)methane

bis(p-aminophenyl) (p-chlorophenyl)methane

bis(p-aminophenyl) (2,4-dichlorophenyl)methane

bis(p-aminophenyl) (2,5-dichlorophenyl)methane

bis(p-aminophenyl) (2,6-dichlorophenyl)methane

bis(p-aminophenyl)phenylmethane-9-methylacridine

bis(4-amino-tolyl) (p-chlorophenyl)methane

bis(4-amino-o-tolyl) (2,4-dichlorophenyl)methane

bis(p-anilinophenyl) (4-amino-m-tolyl)methane

bis(4-benzylamino-2-cyanophenyl) (p-aminophenyl)methane

bis(p-benzylethylaminophenyl) (p-chlorophenyl)methane

bis(p-benzylethylaminophenyl) (p-diethylaminophenyl)methane

bis(p-benzylethylaminophenyl) (p-dimethylaminophenyl) methane

bis(4-benzylethylamino-o-tolyl) (p-methoxyphenyl)methane

bis(p-benzylethylaminophenyl)phenylmethane

bis(4-benzylethylamino-o-tolyl) (o-chlorophenyl)methane

bis(4-benzylethylamino-o-tolyl) (p-diethylaminophenyl) methane

bis(4-benzylethylamino-o-tolyl) (4-diethylamino-o-tolyl) methane

bis(4-benzylethylamino-o-tolyl) (p-dimethylaminophenyl) methane

bis[2-chloro-4-(2-diethylaminoethyl)ethylaminophenyl]-(o-chlorophenyl) methane

bis[p-bis(2-cyanoethyl)aminophenyl]phenylmethane

bis[p-(2-cyanoethyl)ethylamino-o-tolyl](p-dimethylaminophenyl)methane

bis[p-(2-cyanoethyl)methylaminophenyl](p-diethylaminophenyl)methane

bis(p-dibutylaminophenyl) [p-(2-cyanoethyl)methylaminophenyl]methane

bis(p-dibutylaminophenyl) (p-diethylaminophenyl)methane

bis(4-diethylamino-2-butoxyphenyl) (p-diethylaminophenyl)methane

bis(4-diethylamino-2-fluorophenyl)-o-tolylmethane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl) (p-aminophenyl)methane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl) (4-anilino-1-naphthyl)methane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl) (m-butoxyphenyl)methane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl) (o-chlorophenyl)methane

(p-diethylaminophenyl) (p-cyanophenyl)methane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl) (2,4-dichlorophenyl)methane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl) (4-diethylamino-1-naphthyl)methane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl) (p-dimethylaminophenyl)methane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl) (4-ethylamino-1-naphthyl)methane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl)-2-naphthylmethane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl) (p-nitrophenyl)methane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl)-2-pyridylmethane

bis(p-diethylamino-m-tolyl) (p-diethylaminophenyl)methane

bis(4-diethylamino-o-tolyl) (o-chlorophenyl)methane

bis(4-diethylamino-o-tolyl) (p-diethylaminophenyl)methane

bis(4-diethylamino-o-tolyl) (diphenylaminophenyl)methane

bis(4-diethylamino-o-tolyl)phenylmethane

bis(4-dimethylamino-2-bromophenyl)phenylmethane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl) (4-amino-1-naphthyl)methane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl) (p-butylaminophenyl)methane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl) (p-scc. butylethylaminophenyl)methane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl) (p-chlorophenyl)methane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl) (p-diethylaminophenyl)methane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl) (4-dimethylamino-1-naphthyl) methane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl) (6-dimethylamino-m-tolyl) methane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl) (4-dimethylamino-o-tolyl) methane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl) (4-ethylamino-1-naphthyl) methane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl) (p-hexyloxyphenyl)methane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl) (p-methoxyphenyl)methane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl) (5-methyl-2-pyridyl)methane

bis(4-diethylamino-2-ethoxyphenyl) (4-diethylamino phenyl)methane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-quinolylmethane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl)-o-tolylmethane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl))1,3,3-trimethyl-2-indolinylidenemethyl)methane

bis(4-dimethylamino-o-tolyl) (p-aminophenyl)methane

bis(4-dimethylamino-o-tolyl) (o-bromophenyl)methane

bis(4-dimethylamino-o-tolyl) (o-cyanophenyl)methane

bis(4-dimethylamino-o-tolyl) (o-fluorophenyl)methane

bis(4-dimethylamino-o-tolyl)-1-naphthylmethane

bis(4-dimethylamino-o-tolyl)phenylmethane

bis(p-ethylaminophenyl) (o-chlorophenyl)methane

bis(4-ethylamino-m-tolyl) (o-methoxyphenyl)methane

bis(4-ethylamino-m-tolyl) (p-methoxyphenyl)methane

bis(4-ethylamino-m-tolyl) (p-dimethylaminophenyl)methane

bis(4-ethylamino-m-tolyl) (p-hydroxyphenyl)methane

bis[4-ethyl(2-hydroxyethyl)amino-m-tolyl](p-diethylaminophenyl)methane

bis[p-(2-hydroxyethyl)aminophenyl](o-chlorophenyl)methane

bis[p-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)aminophenyl](4-diethylamino-o-tolyl)methane

bis[p-(2-methoxyethyl)aminophenyl]phenylmethane

bis(p-methylaminophenyl) (o-hydroxyphenyl)methane

bis(p-propylaminophenyl) (m-bromophenyl)methane

tris(4-amino-o-tolyl)methane

tris(4-anilino-o-tolyl)methane

tris(p-benzylaminophenyl)methane

tris[4-bis(2-cyanoethyl)amino-o-tolyl]methane

tris[p-(2-cyanoethyl)ethylaminophenyl]methane

tris(p-dibutylaminophenyl)methane

tris(p-di-t-butylaminophenyl)methane

tris(p-dimethylaminophenyl)methane

tris(4-diethylamino-2-chlorophenyl)methane

tris(p-diethylaminophenyl)methane

tris(4-diethylamino-o-tolyl)methane

tris(p-dihexylamino-o-tolyl)methane

tris(4-dimethylamino-o-tolyl)methane

tris(p-hexylaminophenyl)methane

tris[p-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)aminophenyl]methane

tris(p-methylaminophenyl)methane

tris(p-dioctadecylaminophenyl)methane


B. AMINOXANTHENES



[0041] 

3-amino-6-dimethylamino-2-methyl-9-(o-chlorophenyl)xanthene

3-amino-6-dimethylamino-2-methyl-9-phenylxanthene

3-amino-6-dimethylamino-2-methylxanthene

3,6-bis(diethylamino)-9-(o-chlorophenyl)xanthene

3,6-bis(diethylamino)-9-hexylxanthene

3,6-bis(diethylamino)-9-(o-methoxycarbonylphenyl) xanthene

3,6-bis(diethylamino)-9-methylxanthene

3,6-bis(diethylamino)-9-phenylxanthene

3,6-bis(diethylamino)-9-o-tolyxanthene

3,6-bis(dimethylamino)-9-(o-chlorophenyl)xanthene

3,6-bis(dimethylamino)-9-ethylxanthene

3,6-bis(dimethylamino)-9-(o-methoxycarbonylphenyl) xanthene

3,6-bis(dimethylamino)-9-methylxanthene


C. AMINOTHIOXANTHENES



[0042] 

3,6-bis(diethylamino)-9-(o-ethoxycarbonylphenyl) thioxanthene

3,6-bis(dimethylamino)-9-(o-methoxycarbonylphenyl) thioxanthene

3,6-bis(dimethylamino)thioxanthene

3,6-dianilino-9-(o-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)thioxanthene


D. Amino-9,10-dihydroacridines



[0043] 

3,6-bis(benzylamino)-9,10-dihydro-9-methylacridine

3,6-bis(diethylamino)-9-hexyl-9,10-dihydroacridine

3,6-bis(diethylamino)-9,10-dihydro-9-methylacridine

3,6-bis(diethylamino)-9,10-dihydro-9-phenylacridine

3,6-diamino-9-hexyl-9,10-dihydroacridine

3,6-diamino-9,10-dihydro-9-methylacridine

3,6-diamino-9,10-dihydro-9-phenylacridine

3,6-bis(dimethylamino)-9-hexyl-9,10-dihydroacridine

3,6-bis(dimethylamino)-9,10-dihydro-9-methylacridine


E. AMINOPHENOXAZINES



[0044] 

3,7-bis(diethylamino)phenoxazine

9-dimethylamino-benzo[a]phenoxazine


F. AMINOPHENOTHIAZINES



[0045] 

3,7-bis(benzylamino)phenothiazine


G. AMINODIHYDROPHENAZINES



[0046] 

3,7-bis(benzylethylamino)-5,10-dihydro-5-phenylphenazine

3,7-bis(diethylamino)-5-hexyl-5,10-dihydrophenazine

3,7-bis(dihexylamino)-5,10-dihydrophenazine

3,7-bis(dimethylamino)-5-(p-chlorophenyl)-5,10-dihydrophenazine

3,7-diamino-5-(o-chlorophenyl)-5,10-dihydrophenazine

3,7-diamino-5,10-dihydrophenazine

3,7-diamino-5,10-dihydro-5-methylphenazine

3,7-diamino-5-hexyl-5,10-dihydrophenazine-3,7-bis(dimethylamino)-5,10-dihydrophenazine

3,7-bis(dimethylamino)-5,10-dihydro-5-phenylphenazine

3,7-bis(dimethylamino)-5,10-dihydro-5-methylphenazine


H. AMINODIPHENYLMETHANES



[0047] 

1,4-bis[bis-p(diethylaminophenyl)methyl]piperazine

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl)anilinomethane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl)-1-benzotriazolylmethane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl)-2-benzotriazolylmethane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl) (p-chloroanilino)methane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl) (2,4-dichloroanilino)methane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl) (methylamino)methane

bis(p-diethylaminophenyl) (octadecylamino)methane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl)aminomethane

bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl)anilinomethane

1,1-bis(dimethylaminophenyl)ethane

1,1-bis(dimethylaminophenyl)heptane

bis(4-methylamino-m-tolyl)aminoethane


I. LEUCO INDAMINES



[0048] 

4-amino-4'-dimethylaminodiphenylamine

p-(p-dimethylaminoanilino)phenol


J. AMINOHYDROCINNAMIC ACIDS (CYANOETHANES, LEUCO METHINES)



[0049] 

4-amino-µ,µ-dicyanohydrocinnamic acid, methyl ester

4-anilino-µ,µ-dicyanohydrocinnamic acid, methyl ester

4-(p-chloroanilino)-µ,β-dicyanohydrocinnamic acid, methyl ester

µ-cyano-4-dimethylaminohydrocinnamide

µ-cyano-4-dimethylaminohydrocinnamic acid, methyl ester

µ,µ-dicyano-4-diethylaminohydrocinnamic acid, methyl ester

µ,µ-dicyano-4-dimethylaminohydrocinnamide

µ,µ-dicyano-4-dimethylaminohydrocinnamic acid, methyl ester

µ,µ-dicyano-4-dimethylaminohydrocinnamic acid

µ,µ-dicyano-4-dimethylaminohydrocinnamic acid, hexyl ester

µ,µ-dicyano-4-hexylaminohydrocinnamic acid, methyl ester

µ,µ-dicyano-4-methylaminocinnamic acid, methyl ester

p-(2,2-dicyanoethyl)-N,N-dimethylaniline

4-methoxy-4'-(1,2,2-tricyanoethyl)azobenzene

4-(1,2,2-tricyanoethyl)azobenzene

p-(1,2,2-tricyanoethyl)-N,N-dimethylaniline


K. HYDRAZINES



[0050] 

1-(p-diethylaminophenyl)-2-(2-pyridyl)hydrazine

1-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-(2-pyridyl)hydrazine

1-(3-methyl-2-benzothiazolyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)hydrazine

1-(2-naphthyl)-2-phenylhydrazine

1-p-nitrophenyl-2-phenylhydrazine

1-(1,3,3-trimethyl-2-indolinyl)-2-(3-N-phenylcarbamoyl-4-hydroxy-1-naphthyl )hydrazine


L. LEUCO INDIGOID DYES


M. AMINO-2,3-DIHYDROANTHRAQUINONES



[0051] 

1,4-dianilino-2,3-dihydroanthraquinones

1,4-bis(ethylamino)-2,3-dihydroanthraquinone


N. PHENETHYLANILINES



[0052] 

N-(2-cyanoethyl)-p-phenethylaniline

N,N-diethyl-p-phenylethylaniline

N,N-dimethyl-p-[2-(1-naphthyl)ethyl]aniline.



[0053] In a highly preferred embodiment, the dye D is an amino substituted di- or tri-arylmethane dye, having at least one hydrophilic group. Preferred hydrophilic groups are selected from sulphonic acid group, carboxylic acid group, phosphoric acid group or phosphonic acid group or salts thereof, such as alkali metal salts or ammonium salt; most preferred hydrophilic group is sulphonic acid group or salt thereof.

[0054] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dye D is a cationic dye. Cationic dyes are dyes which carry a positive charge in their molecule. Preferred cationic dyes are dyes having a positive charge in the chromophore moiety of the molecule. More preferred cationic dyes are dyes having a positive charge in the chromophore moiety and having a hydrophilic group in a side chain of the chromophoric moiety. Examples of cationic dyes are those mentioned by R. Raue in the Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, edited by Wiley-VCH, volume A5, p. 369-373 (1986).

[0055] The dye D may also be incorporated into a polymer, comprising at least one monomeric unit having a dye D which is covalently or ionically bound to the monomeric unit by a linking group. The dye D in such a polymer is preferably an amino substituted di- or tri-arylmethane dye.

[0056] The nucleophilic compound Q is preferably a compound having one or more electron-rich sites such as an unshared pair of electrons or ions, the negative end of a polar bond, or µ-electrons, and this compound is able to donate electrons to, or to share electrons with dye D. Nucleophilic compounds are usually organic compounds comprising a hetero-atom such as O, S, N or P. The nucleophilicity of the compound Q is preferably high enough to form the interaction product DQ, especially when DQ is formed in situ in the coating at low pH, e.g. pH<7. Upon heating, the interaction product DQ releases at least partially a dye and this release is less likely when the nucleophilicity is high. So, the nucleophilicity of Q is preferably sufficiently low to maintain its leaving capability upon heating (formation of dye); on the other hand, the nucleophilicity of Q is preferably sufficiently high to be able to from a leuco dye adduct DQ, even at a low pH value (pH<7); as a result, the compound Q of the present invention exhibits preferably an acceptable compromise as to its nucleophilicity.

[0057] Preferred nucleophilic compounds Q are compounds comprising a thiol group. More preferred nucleophilic compounds are compounds comprising a thiol group and an aminoacid group. Specific examples of suitable compounds comprising a thiol group are the following :





































[0058] Other examples of suitable nucleophilic compounds are :







[0059] The nucleophilic compound Q may also be incorporated into a polymer, comprising at least one monomeric unit having a nucleophilic group which is covalently or ionically bound to the monomeric unit by a linking group. The nucleophilic group in such a polymer is preferably a thiol group. Examples of monomeric units having a nucleophilic group are the following :











[0060] Examples of polymers comprising a monomeric unit having a nucleophilic group are :













Herein, the indices m and n represent the number of monomeric units in the polymer and usually the monomeric unit with a nucleophilic group is present in an amount of at least 1 unit, preferably between 2 to 100, more preferably between 5 and 20.

[0061] The nucleophilic compound Q and the dye D may both be present in the same compound, e.g. a compound wherein Q and D are covalently coupled by a linking group such as an alkylene group. Another example of such a compound is a polymer comprising at least one monomeric unit having a nucleophilic group and at least one monomeric unit having a dye D. The nucleophilic group in this polymer is preferably a thiol group and the dye D is preferably an amino substituted di-or tri-arylmethane dye.

4. According to a fourth embodiment of the color forming system, the coating comprises an infrared dye which undergoes a chemical transformation induced by the image-wise exposure and thereby forms the visible print-out image. Such a dye is referred to herein as a color-forming infrared dye.

5. A preferred class of such color-forming IR dyes have a structure according to the following formula :


wherein +Y1= is represented by one of the following structures:






and wherein Y2- is represented by one of the following structures:






and n is 0, 1, 2 or 3;
and each of p and q is 0, 1 or 2;
and R1 and R2 are independently an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, or wherein two of said R1, R2, Rd or Ra groups together comprise the necessary atoms to form a cyclic structure;
characterised in that
at least one of the Rd groups is a group which is transformed by a chemical reaction, induced by the image-wise exposure to infrared light, into a group which is a stronger electron-donor than said Rd; or
at least one of the Ra groups is a group which is transformed by achemical reaction, induced by the image-wise exposure to infrared light, into a group which is a stronger electron-acceptor than said Ra;
thereby forming the visible print-out image;
and wherein the other Rd and Ra groups are independently represented by a group selected from the list consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, -Re, -ORf, -SRg and -NRuRv, wherein Re, Rf, Rg, Ru and Rv independently are an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group.

[0062] The transformation of said Ra and/or Rd group referred to above results in a decrease of the lightness value L* of the coating.

[0063] In a preferred class of such infrared dyes the Rd group, which is transformed by a chemical reaction, is selected from the list consisting of

-(N=CR17)a -NR3-CO-R4,

-(N=CR17)b -NR5-SO2-R6,

-(N=CR17)c -NR11-SO-R12,

-SO2-NR15R16 and

-S-L-CR7(H)1-d(R8)d -NR9-COOR18,


wherein
a, b, c and d independently are 0 or 1,
-L- is a linking group,
R17 is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group,
or wherein R17 and R3, R17 and R5, or R17 and R11 together comprise the necessary atoms to form a cyclic structure, preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring,
R4 is -OR10, -NR13R14 or -CF3,
wherein
R10 is an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group or an alpha-branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group, preferably an alpha-branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group, more preferably a secondary or tertiary aliphatic hydrocarbon group, most preferably a tertiary butyl group;
R13 and R14 independently are a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group, or wherein R13 and R14 together comprise the necessary atoms to form a cyclic structure, preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring,
R3 is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group, or wherein R3 together with at least one of R10, R13 and R14 comprise the necessary atoms to form a cyclic structure, preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring,
R6 is an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group, -OR10, -NR13R14 or -CF3 wherein R10, R13 and R14 have the same meaning as in R4,
R5 is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group, or wherein R5 together with at least one of R10, R13 and R14 comprise the necessary atoms to form a cyclic structure, preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring,
R11, R15 and R16 are independently a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group, or wherein R15 and R16 together comprise the necessary atoms to form a cyclic structure, preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring,
R12 is an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group,
R7 and R9 independently are a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group,
R8 is -COO- or -COOR8' wherein R8' is a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal cation, an ammonium ion or a mono-, di-, tri- or tetra-alkyl ammonium ion,
R18 is an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group or an alpha-branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group, preferably an alpha-branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group, more preferably a secondary or tertiary aliphatic hydrocarbon group, most preferably a tertiary butyl group.

[0064] Preferred classes of such color forming IR-dyes have a structure according to one of the following formulae II, III or IV:






wherein
Ar1, Ar2 and Ar3 are independently an optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic hydrocarbon group with an annulated benzene ring which is optionally substituted,
W1 and W2 are independently a sulfur atom or a -CM10M11 group wherein M10 and M11 are independently an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group, or wherein M10 and M11 together comprise the necessary atoms to form a cyclic structure, preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring,
M1 and M2 are independently an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group or wherein M1 and M2 together comprise the necessary atoms to form an optionally substituted cyclic structure, preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring, more preferably a 5-membered ring, most preferably a 5-membered ring having a cyclic structure of 5 carbon atoms,
M3 and M4 are independently an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group,
M5, M6, M7, M8, M16 and M are independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group,
W3 is a sulfur atom or a -CA3=CA4- group,
M12 and M13 are independently an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group, or wherein two of said M , M13, A2 or A4 together comprise the necessary atoms to form at least one cyclic structure, preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring,
W4 is a sulfur atom or a -CA7=CA8- group,
A1 to A8 are independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group, or wherein each of A1 and A2, A3 and A4, A5 and A6, or, A7 and A8, together comprise the necessary atoms to form a cyclic structure, preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring,
M14 and M15 are independently an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group, or wherein two of said M14, M15, A5 or A7 together comprise the necessary atoms to form at least one cyclic structure, preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring, and
M9 is the Rd group which is transformed by a chemical reaction.

[0065] The color-forming infrared dye can be a neutral, an anionic or a cationic dye depending on the type of the substituting groups and the number of each of the substituting groups. In a preferred embodiment, the dye of formula II, III or IV has at least one anionic or acid group, selected from the list consisting of -CO2H, - CONHSO2Rh, -SO2NHCORi, -SO2NHSO2Rj, -PO3H2, -OPO3H2, -OSO3H or -SO3H groups or their corresponding salts, wherein Rh, Ri and Rj are independently an aryl or an alkyl group, preferably a methyl group, and wherein the salts are preferably alkali metal salts or ammonium salts, including mono- or di- or tri- or tetra-alkyl ammonium salts. These anionic or acid groups may be present on the aromatic hydrocarbon group or the annulated benzene ring of Ar1, Ar2 or Ar3, or on the aliphatic hydrocarbon group of M3, M4 or M12 to M15, or on the (hetero)aryl group of M12 to M15. Other substituting groups can be selected from a halogen atom, a cyano group, a sulphone group, a carbonyl group or a carboxylic ester group.

[0066] In another preferred embodiment, each of the aliphatic hydrocarbon groups of M3, M4 or M12 to M15 is terminally substituted with at least one of these groups, more preferably with -CO2H, - CONHSO2-Me, -SO2NHCO-Me, -SO2NHSO2-Me, -PO3H2 or -SO3H groups or their corresponding salt, wherein Me represents a methyl group.

[0067] According to other preferred embodiments, the color-forming IR-dye has a structure according to one of the following formulae :


























wherein
Q is O, S, -CRsRt or -COORu wherein Rs, Rt and Ru are independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; and
the other groups have the same meaning as defined in formula II, III and IV.

[0068] Specific examples of color-forming IR-dyes that are suitable for use in the present invention are the following :





















































































































The synthesis of these color-forming IR dyes has been described in co-pending European patent application no. EP05105440.1, filed on 21 June 2005.


The support



[0069] The support of the lithographic printing plate precursor used in the method of the present invention is a grained and anodized aluminum support. In order to produce a print-out image with a high contrast, it is beneficial to use a support having a bright, white surface : the aluminum support is characterized by a lightness value L*sup not less than 70, more preferably even not less than 75. The a*sup and b*sup values of the surface of the aluminum on the other hand are as low as possible : a*sup and b*sup are each in the range between -4 and +4, preferably between -1.5 and +1.5 and more preferably between -1 and +1. A low surface roughness also contributes to a higher contrast of the print-out image : a preferred aluminum surface is characterized by an arithmetical mean roughness Ra, measured according to DIN4768, between 0.1 and 0.7, more preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 and most preferably between 0.15 and 0.40.

[0070] In order to produce such supports, one begins with a lithographic grade aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate. The aluminum substrates used in the present invention include those composed of substantially pure aluminum and aluminum alloys. Aluminum alloys include alloys of aluminum and materials such as silicon, copper, manganese, magnesium, chromium, zinc, lead, bismuth or nickel.

[0071] As a first step, the substrate is preferably degreased to remove milling oils. Degreasing is preferably conducted by passing the substrate through an aqueous solution of an alkali hydroxide, such as sodium hydroxide which is present in the solution at a concentration of from about 5 to about 50 g/l. The solution is preferably maintained at about 40 to about 100°C. Degreasing may be conducted at from about 1 to about 180 seconds. Next, the substrate may be rinsed with water and/or chemically etched. This is preferably done by passing the substrate through a second aqueous solution of an alkali hydroxide, such as sodium hydroxide which is present in the solution at a concentration of from about 5 to about 25 g/l. The solution is preferably maintained at about 40 to about 100°C. Chemical etching is typically conducted between about 10 to about 180 seconds.

[0072] The substrate is then preferably electrochemically grained. Electrochemical graining is preferably done by electrolyzing the substrate in an aqueous solution of nitric or hydrochloric acid at a concentration of from about 8 g/l to about 20 g/l, preferably from about 10 g/l to about 16 g/l and most preferably from about 12 to about 15 g/l. Preferably, if nitric acid is used, aluminum nitrate is also added to the solution and if hydrochloric acid is used, then aluminum chloride and/or sulfate may be added to the solution. The aluminum salt is preferably added in an amount of from about 5 to about 100 g/l, more preferably from about 20 to about 80 g/l and most preferably from about 30 to about 60 g/l. The graining is preferably conducted in either direct or alternating current, however alternating current is most preferred. Graining is performed at a charge density of from about 5 to about 100 coulombs/dm2, preferably from about 40 to about 90 coulombs/dm2. Graining is done for from about 5 seconds to about 5 minutes.

[0073] The substrate is then preferably rinsed and desmutted, e.g. with an aqueous solution of sulfuric or phosphoric acid in an amount of 100 to 300 g/l at a temperature for 40 to 100 °C for 2 to 10 seconds and again rinsed with water. Desmutting can also be carried out with an aqueous alkaline solution, e.g. a solution of an alkali hydroxide, such as sodium hydroxide which is present in the solution at a concentration of from about 5 to about 50 g/l. The solution is preferably maintained at about 40 to about 100°C.

[0074] The substrate is then anodized, preferably by electrolytically treating the substrate in an aqueous solution of sulfuric or phosphoric acid having a concentration of from about 100 to about 300 g/l at a temperature of from about 40 to about 100°C. Sulfuric acid is most preferred. Anodizing preferably takes place for about from 5 seconds to about 5 minutes at a charge density from about 20 to about 100 coulombs/dm2. The anodization preferably produces an anodic oxide weight of from about 0.1 to about 5 g/m2, preferably from 3.0 to 4.5 g/m2.

[0075] The substrate is then preferably washed with water and post-treated with an aqueous solutions of a hydrophilizing compound such as alkali silicate, silicic acid, Group IV-B metal fluorides, the alkali metal salts, polyvinylphosphonic acid, polyvinylmethyl phosphonic acid, phosphoric acid esters of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylsulfonic acid, polyvinylbenzenesulfonic acid, sulfuric acid esters of polyvinyl alcohol, and acetals of polyvinyl alcohols formed by reaction with a sulfonated aliphatic aldehyde. Other useful hydrophilizing compounds are poly(acrylic acid), the alkali zirconium fluorides, such as potassium zirconium hexafluoride, or hydrofluozirconic acid. Such hydrophilizing compounds are used in concentrations of from about 0.01 to about 10% by volume. A preferred concentration range is from about 0.05 to about 5% and the most preferred range is from about 0.1 to about 1%.

Exposure and processing



[0076] The printing plate precursor of the present invention is image-wise exposed with infrared light, preferably near infrared light. The infrared light is preferably converted into heat by an IR light absorbing compound as discussed above. The image-recording layer preferably has a low sensitivity towards visible light. Most preferably, the material can be kept in ambient daylight at an intensity corresponding to normal working conditions without the need for a safe light environment during at least 4 hours, more preferably at least 12 hours.

[0077] The printing plate precursors of the present invention can be exposed to infrared light by means of e.g. LEDs or an infrared laser. Preferably, the light used for the exposure is a laser emitting near infrared light having a wavelength in the range from about 700 to about 1500 nm, e.g. a semiconductor laser diode, a Nd:YAG or a Nd:YLF laser. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the energy density of the infrared light used in the exposure step is 250 mJ/cm2 or less, more preferably 200 mJ/cm2 or less and most preferably 150 mJ/cm2 or less. Preferably an energy density in the range between 70 and 250 mJ/cm2 is sufficient to induce the color change according to the present invention. In a more preferred embodiment, said energy density range is between 100 and 200 mJ/cm2 and most preferably between 100 and 150 mJ/cm2.

[0078] Due to the heat generated during the exposure step, the photopolymerizable or photocurable composition is hardened, so as to form a hydrophobic phase which corresponds to the printing areas of the printing plate. Here, "hardened" means that the coating becomes insoluble or non-dispersible for the developer and may be achieved through polymerization and/or crosslinking of the photosensitive coating, optionally followed by a heating step to enhance or to speed-up the polymerization and/or crosslinking reaction. In this optionally heating step, hereinafter also referred to as "pre-heat", the exposed plate precursor is heated before being developed, preferably at a temperature of about 80°C to 150°C and preferably during a dwell time of about 5 seconds to 1 minute.

[0079] In the development step, the non-exposed areas of the image-recording layer are removed, preferably without essentially removing the exposed areas, i.e. without affecting the exposed areas to an extent that renders the ink-acceptance of the exposed areas unacceptable. Depending on the coating composition, the developer may be plain water, an aqueous solution such as a gum solution, an alkaline developer, a solvent-based developer, etc.

[0080] The development step may also be carried out on-press, i.e. while the exposed precursor is mounted on the plate cylinder of a lithographic printing press, by rotating said plate cylinder while feeding dampening liquid and/or ink to the coating of the precursor. In a preferred embodiment, only dampening liquid is supplied to the plate during start-up of the press. After a number of revolutions of the plate cylinder, preferably less than 50 and most preferably less than 10, also the ink supply is switched on. In an alternative embodiment, supply of dampening liquid and ink can be started simultaneously or only ink can be supplied during a number of revolutions before switching on the supply of dampening liquid.

[0081] The printing plate thus obtained can be used for conventional, so-called wet offset printing, in which ink and an aqueous dampening liquid is supplied to the plate during printing. Another suitable printing method uses so-called single-fluid ink without a dampening liquid. Suitable single-fluid inks have been described in US 4,045,232; US 4,981,517 and US 6,140,392. In a most preferred embodiment, the single-fluid ink comprises an ink phase, also called the hydrophobic or oleophilic phase, and a polyol phase as described in WO 00/32705. The single-fluid ink can also be used for the on-press development of the exposed precursor. In that embodiment, no dampening liquid is required in the development step.

EXAMPLES



[0082] Quantities are expressed in terms of pw = parts per weight or wt.% = weight percentage. L*, a*, b* values were measured following the ASTM E308-85 method, based on illuminant D65.

EXAMPLE 1


Preparation of aluminum support AS-1 :



[0083] A 0.3 mm thick aluminum foil was degreased by spraying with an aqueous solution containing 26 g/l of NaOH at 65°C for 2 seconds and rinsed with demineralized water for 1.5 seconds. The foil was then electrochemically grained during 10 seconds using an alternating current in an aqueous solution containing 15 g/l of HCl, 15 g/l of SO42- ions and 5 g/l of Al3+ ions at a temperature of 37°C and a current density of about 100 A/dm2. The aluminum foil was then desmutted by etching with an aqueous solution containing 5.5 g/l of NaOH at 36°C for 2 seconds and rinsed with demineralized water for 2 seconds. The foil was subsequently subjected to anodic oxidation during 15 seconds in an aqueous solution containing 145 g/l of sulfuric acid at a temperature of 50°C and a current density of 17 A/dm2, then washed with demineralized water for 11 seconds and post-treated for 3 seconds by spraying a solution containing 2.2 g/l of polyvinylphosphonic acid at 70°C, rinsed with demineralized water for 1 seconds and dried at 120°C for 5 seconds.

[0084] The support thus obtained was characterized by a surface roughness Ra of 0.37 µm and had an anodic weight of 3.0 g/m2. The L*, a* and b* values of the anodized surface were as follows :






Preparation of the printing plate precursors PPP-33:



[0085] The coating solution defined in Table 1 was prepared and coated on support AS-1. After drying, the thickness of the layer was 1.5 g/m2.





[0086] On top of the image-recording layer, the aqueous solution defined in Table 2 was coated and then dried at 110°C for 2 minutes to obtain a top coat having a dry thickness of 2.0 g/m2.



The lightness value L*nonexp of the complete material PPP-33 (support + image-recording layer + top coat) was 67. Its ISO visual density was 0.43.

Image-wise exposure



[0087] Plate precursor PPP-33, which comprises color-forming IR dye IRD-004 in the top coat, was exposed with a Creo Trendsetter IR laser (830 nm) at 275 mJ/cm2. A high-contrast print-out image was observed : the exposed areas were dark blue as opposed to the pale green background color of the non-exposed areas. ΔL* of the print-out image was 10.6 and ΔE was 12.3.

EXAMPLES 2 and 3


Preparation of the printing plate precursors PPP-34 and 35:



[0088] Two coating solutions were prepared and coated on separate samples of support AS-1 at a dry thickness of 1.5 g/m2. The dried image-recording layers had the composition specified in the following table :





[0089] On top of the image-recording layer, the aqueous solution defined in Table 4 was coated and then dried at 110°C for 2 minutes to obtain a top coat having a dry thickness of 2.0 g/m2.
Table 4 : Composition (g) of the coating solution of the protective top coat
Ingredient PPP-34
PPP-35
partially hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol (degree of hydrolysis 88 %, viscosity 4 mPa·s in a solution of 4 wt.% at 20 °C). 17.03
partially hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol (degree of hydrolysis 88 %, viscosity 8 mPa·s in a solution of 4 wt.% at 20 °C). 7.43
fully hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol (degree of hydrolysis 98 %, viscosity 6 mPa·s in a solution of 4 wt.% at 20 °C). 14.87
Acticide LA1206 (see table 2) 0.26
Metolat FC 355 (see table 2) 0.38
Lutensol A8 (90%) (see table 2) 0.032
Water 960
The lightness value L*nonexp of the complete materials PPP-34 and -35 was 66 and 65 respectively. The ISO visual density was 0.46 and 0.47 respectively.

Image-wise exposure



[0090] Plate precursors PPP-34 and 35 were exposed with a Creo Trendsetter IR laser (830 nm) at 275 mJ/cm2. PPP-34 and PPP-35 showed a high-contrast print-out image : the exposed areas were dark blue as opposed to the green background color of the non-exposed areas. ΔL* of the print-out image obtained with PPP-34 and -35 was 9.0 and 14.9 respectively. ΔE was 11.0 and 15.6 respectively.

EXAMPLES 4 and 5



[0091] In these examples, a color forming system according to embodiment 3, discussed above, was used wherein a dye D (ingredient L defined below) and a nucleophilic compound Q (NUC-07 and NUC-08 respectively, defined above) are allowed to form interaction product DQ. The following ingredients were used in Examples 4 and 5 :

(A) A solution containing 32.8 wt.% of a methyl methacrylate /methacrylic acid-copolymer (ratio methylmethacrylate /methacrylic acid of 4:1 by weight; acid number: 110 mg KOH/g) in 2-butanone (viscosity 105 mm2/s at 25°C).

(B) A solution containing 86.8 wt.% of a reaction product from 1 mole of 2,2,4-trimethyl-hexamethylenediisocyanate and 2 moles of hydroxyethylmethacrylate (viscosity 3.30 mm2/s at 25°C).

(C) Infrared dye IR-1 (see table 1).

(D) S-Triazine

(E) Edaplan LA 411@ (1 wt.% in Dowanol PM@, trade mark of Dow Chemical Company).

(F) 2-Butanone.

(G) Propyleneglycol-monomethylether (Dowanol PM@, trade mark of Dow Chemical Company).

(H) Water

(L) A 7.5 wt.% solution of the following dye in water :

(M) A 1 wt.% solution of the following IR dye in water :

(N) A solution of 3 wt.% of NUC-07 (see above) in water.

(O) A solution of 3 wt.% of NUC-08 (see above) in water.

(P) A 5 wt.% aqueous solution of GLASCOL D15, a polyacrylic acid, commercially available from ALLIED COLLOIDS.



[0092] A coating solution was prepared by mixing the ingredients as specified in Table 5. This composition was coated on support AS-1 and was dried at 105 °C . The resulting thickness of the layer was 1.5 g/m2.
Table 5 : Composition of the coating solution of the image-recording layer.
Ingredient Parts per weight (g)
(A) 5.77
(B) 3.14
(C) 0.13
(D) 0.34
(E) 0.57
(F) 16.72
(G) 33.32


[0093] On top of the above image-recording layer, the aqueous solution defined in table 6 was coated and then dried at 120°C for 2 minutes to obtain a top coat having a dry thickness of 0.80 g/m2.
Table 6 : Composition (g) of the coating solution of the top coat layers OC-01 and OC-02.
Ingredient OC-01 (Example 4) OC-02 (Example 5)
(L) 3.02 3.02
(N) 7.56 -
(O) - 7.56
(M) 22.67 22.67
(P) 39.73 39.73
(H) 27.02 27.02
The lightness value L*nonexp of the complete materials with top coat OC-01 and OC-02, i.e. measured on the complete material (support + image-recording layer + top coat), was 64 and 63 respectively. The ISO visual density was 0.49 and 0.51 respectively.

Image-wise exposure



[0094] The plate precursors of Examples 4 and 5 were exposed with a Creo Trendsetter 3244T (plate setter available from Creo, Burnaby, Canada), operating at 300 mJ/cm2 and 150 rpm. The ΔL* values of the print-out image were 10.4 and 6.3 respectively. The ΔE values were 17.4 and 8.1 respectively.

[0095] After development with an aqueous alkaline developer, the above plates of Examples 1-5 were mounted on a press and produced very good prints.


Claims

1. A method of making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of :

i) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising

- an aluminum support with a grained and anodized surface having CIE 1976 color coordinates L*sup which is not less than 70 and a*sup and b*sup each in the range from -4 to +4; and

- a coating on said support which comprises an image-recording layer comprising an infrared-sensitized photopolymerizable or photocurable composition;


which together form a coated support having a CIE 1976 lightness value L*nonexp which is not less than 50;

ii) image-wise exposing the coating to infrared light, thereby

- inducing polymerization or curing of the composition at exposed areas; and

- forming a visible print-out image in the coating of which the lightness difference ΔL* is at least 5, wherein ΔL* is defined as L*nonexp minus L*exp, wherein L*exp is the CIE 1976 lightness value of the coated support at exposed areas;

iii) removing non-exposed areas of the coating with a developer.


 
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein L*sup is not less than 75.
 
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a*sup and b*sup each range from -1.5 to +1.5.
 
4. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein L*nonexp is not less than 60.
 
5. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein ΔL* is at least 10.
 
6. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein ΔL* is at least 15.
 
7. A method according to any of the previous claims wherein the color distance ΔE of the print-out image produced in step (ii) is at least 10, ΔE being defined as [(ΔL*)2 + (Δa*)2 + (Δb*)2]1/2, wherein Δa* and Δb* are the differences between the exposed and the non-exposed areas, measured between step (ii) and (iii), of the CIE 1976 color coordinate values a* and b* respectively.
 
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein ΔE is at least 15.
 
9. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the surface of the aluminum support provided in step (i) has an arithmetical mean roughness Ra between 0.1 and 0.7.
 
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein Ra is between 0.15 and 0.40.
 
11. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the infrared light has an energy density in the range between 70 and 250 mJ/cm2.
 
12. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the infrared light has an energy density in the range between 100 and 200 mJ/cm2.
 
13. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the infrared light has an energy density in the range between 100 and 150 mJ/cm2.
 
14. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the coating provided in step (i) further comprises a product DQ which is obtained by

- the step of coating a solution comprising a nucleophilic compound Q and a dye D selected from the list consisting of di-or tri-arylmethane dyes, cyanine dyes, styryl dyes and merostyryl dyes; or by

- the steps of coating a solution comprising said compound Q and coating another solution comprising said dye D;


wherein D and Q interact to form interaction product DQ,
wherein DQ has a lower white light absorption than D,
and wherein said interaction product DQ is capable of at least partially releasing a dye upon the exposure in step (ii), thereby forming the visible print-out image in the coating.
 
15. A method according to any of claims 1 to 13 wherein the coating provided in step (i) further comprises an infrared dye which undergoes a chemical transformation induced by the image-wise exposure and thereby forms the visible print-out image.
 
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the infrared dye has a structure according to the following formula :


wherein +Y1= is represented by one of the following structures:






and wherein Y2- is represented by one of the following structures:






and n is 0, 1, 2 or 3;
and each of p and q is 0, 1 or 2;
and R1 and R2 are independently an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, or wherein two of said R1, R2, Rd or Ra groups together comprise the necessary atoms to form a cyclic structure;
wherein
at least one of the Rd groups is a group which is transformed by a chemical reaction, induced by the exposure in step (ii), into a group which is a stronger electron-donor than said Rd; or
at least one of the Ra groups is a group which is transformed by a chemical reaction, induced by the exposure in step (ii), into a group which is a stronger electron-acceptor than said Ra;
thereby forming the visible print-out image;
and wherein the other Rd and Ra groups are independently represented by a group selected from the list consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, -Re, -ORf, -SRg and -NRuRv, wherein Re, Rf, Rg, Ru and Rv independently are an optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group.