Lithographic printing plate support, method of manufacturing the same and presensitized plate

Abstract

 A lithographic printing plate support includes an aluminum plate and an anodized aluminum film having micropores which extend in a depth direction of the micropores from a surface of the anodized film opposite from the aluminum plate. Each of the micropores has a large-diameter portion which extends to a depth A of 5 to 60 nm from the surface of the anodized film and a small-diameter portion which communicates with a bottom of the large-diameter portion and extends to a depth of 900 to 2,000 nm from a communication position. The lithographic printing plate support has excellent scratch resistance and is capable of obtaining a presensitized plate which exhibits excellent on-press developability and which enables a lithographic printing plate formed therefrom to have a long press life and excellent deinking ability when left to stand.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a lithographic printing plate support, a method of manufacturing such a lithographic printing plate support and a presensitized plate.

[0002] Lithographic printing is a printing process that makes use of the inherent immiscibility of water and oil. Lithographic printing plates used in lithographic printing have formed on a surface thereof regions which are receptive to water and repel oil-based inks (referred to below as "non-image areas") and regions which repel water and are receptive to oil-based inks (referred to below as "image areas").

[0003] The aluminum support employed in a lithographic printing plate (referred to below simply as a "lithographic printing plate support") is used in such a way as to carry non-image areas on its surface. It must therefore have a number of conflicting properties, including, on the one hand, an excellent hydrophilicity and water retention and, on the other hand, an excellent adhesion to the image recording layer that is provided thereon. If the hydrophilicity of the support is too low, ink is likely to be attached to the non-image areas at the time of printing, causing a blanket cylinder to be scummed and thereby causing so-called scumming to be generated. In addition, if the water receptivity of the support is too low, clogging in the shadow area is generated unless the amount of fountain solution is increased at the time of printing. Thus, a so-called water allowance is narrowed.

[0004] Various studies have been made to obtain lithographic printing plate supports exhibiting good properties. For example, JP 11-291657 A1 discloses a method of manufacturing a lithographic printing plate support which includes a first step for anodizing a roughened aluminum plate surface and a second step for reanodizing under such conditions that the diameter of micropores may be smaller than in the anodized film formed in the first step. It is described that the lithographic printing plate obtained by using the lithographic printing plate support does not deteriorate the ink eliminability, improves the adhesion to the photosensitive layer, does not cause highlight areas to be blocked up, and has a long press life.

[0005] On the other hand, printing may be temporarily stopped. In such a case, the lithographic printing plate is left to stand on the plate cylinder and its non-image areas may be scummed under the influence of the contamination in the atmosphere. Therefore, when the printing having been temporarily stopped is resumed, a number of sheets are to be printed before normal printing is performed, thus printing useless sheets or causing other defect. It is known that these defects prominently occur in the lithographic printing plates having undergone electrochemical graining treatment in an acidic solution containing hydrochloric acid. In the following description, the number of sheets wasted when the printing having been temporarily stopped is resumed is used to evaluate the deinking ability when left to stand and the deinking ability is rated "good" when the number of wasted sheets is small.

[0006] In addition, a large number of researches have been made on computer-to-plate (CTP) systems which are under remarkable progress in recent years. In particular, a presensitized plate which can be mounted for printing on a printing press without being developed after exposure to light has been required to solve the problem of wastewater treatment while further rationalizing the process.

[0007] One of the methods for eliminating a treatment step is a method called "on-press development" in which an exposed presensitized plate is mounted on a plate cylinder of a printing press and fountain solution and ink are supplied as the plate cylinder is rotated to thereby remove non-image areas of the presensitized plate. In other words, this is a system in which the exposed presensitized plate is mounted on the printing press without any further treatment so that development completes in the usual printing process. The presensitized plate suitable for use in such on-press development is required to have an image recording layer which is soluble in fountain solution or an ink solvent and to have a light-room handling property capable of development on a printing press placed in a light room. In the following description, the number of sheets of printed paper required to reach the state in which no ink is transferred to non-image areas after the completion of the on-press development of the unexposed areas was used to evaluate the on-press developability, which is rated as "good" when the number of wasted sheets is small.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The inventors of the invention have made an intensive study on various properties of the lithographic printing plate and the presensitized plate obtained by using a lithographic printing plate support specifically described in JP 11-291657 A1 and found that the press life has a trade-off relation with the deinking ability of the lithographic printing plate when it is left to stand or the on-press developability and these properties cannot be simultaneously achieved, which is not necessarily satisfactory in practical use. In addition, it has been found that the scratch resistance of the lithographic printing plate support is also to be improved.

[0009] In view of the situation as described above, an object of the invention is to provide a lithographic printing plate support that has excellent scratch resistance and is capable of obtaining a presensitized plate which exhibits excellent on-press developability and enables a lithographic printing plate formed therefrom to have a long press life and excellent deinking ability when left to stand. Another object of the invention is to provide a method of manufacturing such a lithographic printing plate support. Still another object of the invention is to provide a presensitized plate.

[0010] The inventors of the invention have made an intensive study to achieve the objects and as a result found that the foregoing problems can be solved by controlling the micropore shape in the anodized film.

[0011] Specifically, the invention provides the following (1) to (11).

(1) A lithographic printing plate support comprising: an aluminum plate; and an anodized aluminum film having micropores which extend in a depth direction of the anodized aluminum film from a surface of the anodized film opposite from the aluminum plate, wherein each of the micropores has a large-diameter portion which extends to a depth A of 5 to 60 nm from the surface of the anodized film and a small-diameter portion which communicates with a bottom of the large-diameter portion and extends to a depth of 900 to 2,000 nm from a communication position, the large-diameter portion has a first average diameter of more than 60 nm but up to 100 nm at the surface of the anodized film, a ratio of the depth A to the first average diameter is from 0.05 to 0.95, and the small-diameter portion has a second average diameter of more than 0 but less than 15 nm at the communication position.

(2) The lithographic printing plate support according to (1), wherein the first average diameter of the large-diameter portion is more than 60 nm but up to 85 nm.

(3) The lithographic printing plate support according to (1) or (2), wherein the depth A is from 7 to 50 nm.

(4) The lithographic printing plate support according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the ratio of the depth A to the first average diameter is at least 0.1 but less than 0.8.

(5) A method of manufacturing the lithographic printing plate support according to any one of (1) to (4), comprising: a first anodizing treatment step in which the aluminum plate is anodized; A pore-widening treatment step in which the aluminum plate having the anodized film obtained by the first anodizing treatment step is contacted with an aqueous acid or alkali solution to increase a diameter of the micropores in the anodized film; and a second anodizing treatment step in which the aluminum plate obtained by the pore-widening treatment step is anodized.

(6) The method according to (5), wherein a ratio between a first thickness of the anodized film obtained by the first anodizing treatment step to a second thickness of the anodized film obtained by the second anodizing treatment step (first film thickness / second film thickness) is from 0.002 to 0.15.

(7) The method according to (5) or (6), wherein the first thickness of the anodized film obtained by the first anodizing treatment step is from 15 to 80 nm.

(8) The method according to any one of (5) to (7), wherein the second thickness of the anodized film obtained by the second anodizing treatment step is from 900 to 2,000 nm.

(9) The method according to any one of (5) to (8), wherein the first anodizing treatment step is performed in an electrolytic solution containing phosphoric acid.

(10) A presensitized plate comprising: the lithographic printing plate support according to any one of (1) to (4); and an image recording layer formed thereon.

(11) The presensitized plate according to (10), wherein the image recording layer is one in which an image is formed by exposure to light and unexposed portions is removable by printing ink and/or fountain solution.

[0012] The invention can provide a lithographic printing plate support which has excellent scratch resistance and is capable of obtaining a lithographic printing plate having a long press life and excellent deinking ability when left to stand, a manufacturing method thereof and a presensitized plate using such a lithographic printing plate support.

[0013] In on-press development type lithographic printing plates, the press life can be particularly improved while maintaining the on-press developability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] 

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a lithographic printing plate support of the invention.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a substrate and an anodized film in the order of steps in a method of manufacturing the lithographic printing plate support of the invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a substrate and an anodized film in the order of steps in the method of manufacturing the lithographic printing plate support according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of an alternating current waveform that may be used in electrochemical graining treatment in the method of manufacturing the lithographic printing plate support of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing an example of a radial cell in electrochemical graining treatment with alternating current in the method of manufacturing the lithographic printing plate support of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the brush graining step used in mechanical graining treatment during manufacture of the lithographic printing plate support of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an anodizing apparatus that may be used in anodizing treatment during manufacture of the lithographic printing plate support of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The lithographic printing plate support and its manufacturing method according to the invention are described below.

[0016] The lithographic printing plate support of the invention includes an aluminum plate and an anodized film formed thereon, each of micropores in the anodized film being of such a shape that a large-diameter portion having a larger average diameter communicates with a small-diameter portion having a smaller average diameter along the depth direction (i.e., the thickness direction of the film). Particularly in the invention, although the press life has been deemed to have a trade-off relation with the deinking ability of the lithographic printing plate when it is left to stand or the on-press developability, these properties can be simultaneously achieved at a higher level by controlling the average diameter and depth of the large-diameter portions having a larger average diameter in the micropores.

[0017] By using a solution containing phosphoric acid or oxalic acid as an electrolytic solution in a first anodizing treatment step to be described below, the surface occupation ratio of micropores represented by the following general formula can be improved to obtain a lithographic printing plate having a longer press life.

[0018] Occupation ratio of micropores = density of micropores x (average diameter of large-diameter portions / 2)² x n

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the lithographic printing plate support of the invention.

[0020] A lithographic printing plate support 10 shown in FIG. 1 is of a laminated structure in which an aluminum plate 12 and an anodized aluminum film 14 are stacked in this order. The anodized film 14 has micropores 16 extending from its surface toward the aluminum plate 12 side, and each micropore 16 has a large-diameter portion 18 and a small-diameter portion 20.

[0021] The aluminum plate 12 and the anodized film 14 are first described in detail.

[Aluminum Plate]

[0022] The aluminum plate 12 (aluminum support) used in the invention is made of a dimensionally stable metal composed primarily of aluminum; that is, aluminum or aluminum alloy. The aluminum plate is selected from among plates of pure aluminum, alloy plates composed primarily of aluminum and containing small amounts of other elements, and plastic films or paper on which aluminum (alloy) is laminated or vapor-deposited. In addition, a composite sheet as described in JP 48-18327 A in which an aluminum sheet is attached to a polyethylene terephthalate film may be used.

[0023] In the following description, the above-described plates made of aluminum or aluminum alloys are referred to collectively as "aluminum plate 12." Other elements which may be present in the aluminum alloy include silicon, iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, chromium, zinc, bismuth, nickel and titanium. The content of other elements in the alloy is not more than 10 wt%. In the invention, the aluminum plate used is preferably made of pure aluminum but may contain small amounts of other elements because it is difficult to manufacture completely pure aluminum from the viewpoint of smelting technology. The aluminum plate 12 which is applied to the invention as described above is not specified for its composition but conventionally known materials such as JIS A1050, JIS A1100, JIS A3103 and JIS A3005 can be appropriately used.

[0024] The aluminum plate 12 used in the invention is treated as it continuously travels usually in a web form, and has a width of about 400 mm to about 2,000 mm and a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 0.6 mm. This thickness may be changed as appropriate based on such considerations as the size of the printing press, the size of the printing plate and the desires of the user.

[0025] The aluminum plate is appropriately subjected to substrate surface treatments to be described later.

[Anodized Film]

[0026] The anodized film 14 refers to an anodized aluminum film that is generally formed at a surface of the aluminum plate 12 by anodizing treatment and has the micropores 16 which are subsutantially vertical to the film surface and are individually distributed in a uniform manner. The micropores 16 extend along the thickness direction of the anodized film 14 from the surface of the anodized film opposite to the aluminum plate 12 toward the aluminum plate 12 side.

[0027] Each micropore 16 in the anodized film 14 has the large-diameter portion 18 which extends to a depth of 5 to 60 nm from the anodized film surface (depth A: see FIG. 1), and the small-diameter portion 20 which communicates with the bottom of the large-diameter portion 18 and further extends to a depth of 900 to 2,000 nm from the communication position.

[0028] The large-diameter portion 18 and the small-diameter portion 20 are described below in detail.

(Large-diameter portion)

[0029] The large-diameter portions 18 have an average diameter (average aperture size) of more than 60 nm but up to 100 nm at the surface of the anodized film. The average diameter is preferably more than 60 nm but up to 85 nm from the viewpoint that the lithographic printing plate obtained by using the lithographic printing plate support has a longer press life. Within the foregoing range, the lithographic printing plate obtained by using the lithographic printing plate support can have a long press life and excellent deinking ability when left to stand and the presensitized plate obtained by using the support can have excellent on-press developability. At an average diameter in excess of 100 nm, an increase in the surface area and an improvement of the press life cannot be expected.

[0030] The average diameter of the large-diameter portions 18 is determined as follows: The surface of the anodized film 14 is taken by FE-SEM at a magnification of 150,000X to obtain four images, and in the resulting four images, the diameter of the micropores (large-diameter portions) within an area of 400 x 600 nm² is measured and the average of the measurements is calculated.

[0031] The equivalent circle diameter is used if the aperture of the large-diameter portion 18 is not circular. The "equivalent circle diameter" refers to a diameter of a circle assuming that the shape of an aperture is the circle having the same projected area as that of the aperture.

[0032] The bottom of each large-diameter portion 18 is at a depth of 5 to 60 nm from the surface of the anodized film (hereinafter this depth is also referred to as "depth A"). In other words, each large-diameter portion 18 is a pore which extends from the surface of the anodized film in the depth direction (thickness direction) to a depth of 5 to 60 nm. The depth is preferably from 7 nm to 50 nm from the viewpoint that the lithographic printing plate obtained by using the lithographic printing plate support has a longer press life and more excellent deinking ability when left to stand and the presensitized plate obtained by using the support can have excellent on-press developability.

[0033] At a depth of less than 5 nm, a sufficient anchor effect is not obtained, and the lithographic printing plate has a shorter press life. At a depth in excess of 60 nm, the lithographic printing plate has poor deinking ability when left to stand and the presensitized plate has poor on-press developability.

[0034] The depth is determined by taking a cross-sectional image of the anodized film 14 at a magnification of 150,000X, measuring the depth of at least 25 large-diameter portions, and calculating the average of the measurements.

[0035] The ratio of the depth A of the large-sized portions 18 to their bottom to the average diameter of the large-sized portions 18 (depth A/average diameter) is from 0.05 to 0.95. Within the foregoing range, a desired effect is obtained. The ratio of the depth A to the average diameter is preferably at least 0.1 but less than 0.8 from the viewpoint that the lithographic printing plate obtained by using the lithographic printing plate support has a longer printing press and more excellent deinking ability when left to stand and the presensitized plate obtained by using the support can have excellent on-press developability.

[0036] At a ratio of the depth A to the average diameter of less than 0.05, the lithographic printing plate has a shorter press life. At a ratio of the depth A to the average diameter in excess of 0.95, the lithographic printing plate has poor deinking ability when left to stand and the presensitized plate has poor on-press developability.

[0037] The shape of the large-diameter portions 18 is not particularly limited. Exemplary shapes include a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially straight tubular shape (substantially columnar shape), and a conical shape in which the diameter is decreased in the depth direction, and a substantially hemispherical shape is preferred. The bottom shape of the large-diameter portions 18 is not particularly limited and may be curved (convex) or flat.

[0038] The internal diameter of the large-diameter portions 18 is not particularly limited but is typically substantially equal to or smaller than the diameter of the apertures. There may be a difference of about 1 nm to about 30 nm between the internal diameter of the large-diameter portions 18 and the diameter of the apertures.

(Small-diameter portion)

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, each of the small-diameter portions 20 is a pore which communicates with the bottom of the corresponding large-diameter portion 18 and further extends from the communication position in the depth direction. One small-diameter portion 20 usually communicates with one large-diameter portion 18 but two or more small-diameter portions 20 may communicate with one large-diameter portion 18.

[0040] The small-diameter portions 20 have an average diameter at the communication position of more than 0 but less than 15 nm. The average diameter is preferably not more than 10 nm and more preferably from 5 to 10 nm in terms of deinking ability of the lithographic printing plate when it is left to stand and on-press developability of the presensitized plate.

[0041] At an average diameter of at least 15 nm, the lithographic printing plate obtained by using the lithographic printing plate support of the invention has poor deinking ability when left to stand and poor on-press developability.

[0042] The average diameter of the small-diameter portions 20 is determined as follows: The surface of the anodized film 14 is taken by FE-SEM at a magnification of 150,000X to obtain four images, and in the resulting four images, the diameter of the micropores (small-diameter portions) within an area of 400 x 600 nm² is measured and the average of the measurements is calculated.

[0043] The equivalent circle diameter is used if the aperture of the small-diameter portion 20 is not circular. The "equivalent circle diameter" refers to a diameter of a circle assuming that the shape of an aperture is the circle having the same projected area as that of the aperture.

[0044] The bottom of each small-diameter portion 20 is at a distance of 900 to 2,000 nm in the depth direction from the communication position with the corresponding large-diameter portion 18 which has the depth A up to the communication position. In other words, the small-diameter portions 20 are pores each of which further extends in the depth direction (thickness direction) from the communication position with the corresponding large-diameter portion 18 and the small-diameter portions 20 have a length of 900 to 2,000 nm. The bottom of each small-sized portion 20 is preferably at a depth of 900 to 1,500 nm from the communication position in terms of the scratch resistance of the lithographic printing plate support.

[0045] At a depth of less than 900 nm, the lithographic printing plate support has poor scratch resistance. At a depth in excess of 2,000 nm, the lithographic printing plate support requires a prolonged treatment time and suffers from low productivity and economic efficiency.

[0046] The depth is determined by taking a cross-sectional image of the anodized film 14 at a magnification of 150,000X, measuring the depth of at least 25 small-diameter portions, and calculating the average of the measurements.

[0047] The ratio between the average diameter of the large-diameter portions 18 at the surface of the anodized film and that of the small-diameter portions 20 at the communication position (ratio of the diameter of the large-sized portions to that of the small-diameter portions) is preferably more than 5.0, more preferably more than 6.0, and most preferably from 7.5 to 12.5. At an average diameter ratio within the foregoing range, the resulting lithographic printing plate has a longer press life and more excellent deinking ability when left to stand and the presensitized plate has more excellent on-press developability.

[0048] At an average diameter ratio of not more than 5.0, it may be often difficult to achieve a long press life concomitantly with excellent deinking ability of the lithographic printing plate when it is left to stand and excellent on-press developability.

[0049] The shape of the small-diameter portions 20 is not particularly limited. Exemplary shapes include a substantially straight tubular shape (substantially columnar shape), and a conical shape in which the diameter is decreased in the depth direction, and a substantially straight tubular shape is preferred. The bottom shape of the small-diameter portions 20 is not particularly limited and may be curved (convex) or flat.

[0050] The internal diameter of the small-diameter portions 20 is not particularly limited but is typically substantially equal to or smaller than the diameter at the communication positions. There may be a difference of about 10 nm to about 90 nm between the internal diameter of the small-diameter portions 20 and the diameter of the apertures.

[0051] The density of the micropores 16 in the anodized film 14 is not particularly limited and the anodized film 14 preferably has 50 to 4,000 micropores/µm², and more preferably 100 to 3,000 micropores/µm² in terms of longer press life, and more excellent deinking ability when left to stand of the resulting lithographic printing plate and more excellent on-press developability of the presensitized plate.

[0052] The coating weight of the anodized film 14 is not particularly limited and is preferably from 2.3 to 5.5 g/m² and more preferably from 2.3 to 4.0 g/m² in terms of more excellent scratch resistance of the resulting lithographic printing plate.

[0053] The occupation ratio of the micropores 16 represented by the following formula is not particularly limited and is preferably at least 2.0 and more preferably from 2.5 to 3.5 in terms of longer press life, and more excellent deinking ability when left to stand of the resulting lithographic printing plate and more excellent on-press developability of the presensitized plate.

[0054] Occupation ratio of micropores = density of micropores x (average diameter of large-diameter portions / 2)² x n

[0055] The volume fraction of the micropores 16 represented by the following formula is a parameter on the volume of the large-diameter portions and is preferably from 50 to 150 and more preferably from 55 to 140 in terms of longer press life, and more excellent deinking ability when left to stand of the resulting lithographic printing plate and more excellent on-press developability of the presensitized plate.

[0056] Volume fraction of micropores = occupation ratio of micropores x depth of large-diameter portions

[0057] The above-described lithographic printing support having an image recording layer to be described later formed on a surface thereof can be used as a presensitized plate.

[Method of Manufacturing Lithographic Printing Plate Support]

[0058] The method of manufacturing the lithographic printing plate support according to the invention is described below.

[0059] The method of manufacturing the lithographic printing plate support of the invention is not particularly limited and a manufacturing method in which the following steps are performed in order is preferred.

[0060] (Surface roughening treatment step) Step of surface roughening treatment on an aluminum plate; (First anodizing treatment step) Step of anodizing the aluminum plate having undergone surface roughening treatment; (Pore-widening treatment step) Step of increasing the diameter of micropores in an anodized film formed in the first anodizing treatment step by contacting the aluminum plate having the anodized film with an aqueous acid or alkali solution; (Second anodizing treatment step) Step of anodizing the aluminum plate obtained in the pore-widening treatment step; (Hydrophilizing treatment step) Step of hydrophilizing the aluminum plate obtained in the second anodizing treatment step.

[0061] The respective steps are described below in detail. The surface roughening treatment step and the hydrophilizing treatment step are not essential steps for the beneficial effects of the invention. FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a substrate and an anodized film between the first anodizing treatment step and the second anodizing treatment step in the order of steps.

[Surface Roughening Treatment Step]

[0062] The surface roughening treatment step is a step in which the surface of the aluminum plate is subjected to surface roughening treatment including electrochemical graining treatment. This step is preferably performed before the first anodizing treatment step to be described later but may not be performed if the aluminum plate already has a preferred surface shape.

[0063] Electrochemical graining treatment may only be performed for the surface roughening treatment, but electrochemical graining treatment may be performed in combination with mechanical graining treatment and/or chemical graining treatment.

[0064] In cases where mechanical graining treatment is combined with electrochemical graining treatment, mechanical graining treatment is preferably followed by electrochemical graining treatment.

[0065] In the practice of the invention, electrochemical graining treatment is preferably performed in an aqueous solution of nitric acid or hydrochloric acid.

[0066] Mechanical graining treatment is generally performed in order that the surface of the aluminum plate may have a surface roughness R_a of 0.35 to 1.0 µm.

[0067] In the invention, mechanical graining treatment is not particularly limited for its conditions and can be performed according to the method described in, for example, JP 50-40047 B. Mechanical graining treatment can be performed by brush graining using a suspension of pumice or a transfer system.

[0068] Chemical graining treatment is also not particularly limited and may be performed by any known method.

[0069] Mechanical graining treatment is preferably followed by chemical etching treatment described below.

[0070] The purpose of chemical etching treatment following mechanical graining treatment is to smooth edges of irregularities at the surface of the aluminum plate to prevent ink from catching on the edges during printing, to improve the deinking ability of the lithographic printing plate, and to remove abrasive particles or other unnecessary substances remaining on the surface.

[0071] Chemical etching processes including etching using an acid and etching using an alkali are known in the art, and an exemplary method which is particularly excellent in terms of etching efficiency includes chemical etching treatment using an aqueous alkali solution. This treatment is hereinafter referred to as "alkali etching treatment."

[0072] Alkaline agents that may be used in the alkali solution are not particularly limited and illustrative examples of suitable alkaline agents include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium metasilicate, sodium carbonate, sodium aluminate, and sodium gluconate .

[0073] The alkaline agents may contain aluminum ions. The alkali solution has a concentration of preferably at least 0.01 wt% and more preferably at least 3 wt%, but preferably not more than 30 wt% and more preferably not more than 25 wt%.

[0074] The alkali solution has a temperature of preferably room temperature or higher, and more preferably at least 30°C, but preferably not more than 80°C, and more preferably not more than 75°C.

[0075] The amount of material removed from the aluminum plate (also referred to below as the "etching amount") is preferably at least 0.1 g/m² and more preferably at least 1 g/m², but preferably not more than 20 g/m² and more preferably not more than 10 g/m².

[0076] The treatment time is preferably from 2 seconds to 5 minutes depending on the etching amount and more preferably from 2 to 10 seconds in terms of improving the productivity.

[0077] In cases where mechanical graining treatment is followed by alkali etching treatment in the invention, chemical etching treatment using an acid solution at a low temperature (hereinafter also referred to as "desmutting treatment") is preferably performed to remove substances produced by alkali etching treatment.

[0078] Acids that may be used in the acid solution are not particularly limited and illustrative examples thereof include sulfuric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid. The acid solution preferably has a concentration of 1 to 50 wt%. The acid solution preferably has a temperature of 20 to 80°C. When the concentration and temperature of the acid solution fall within the above-defined ranges, a lithographic printing plate obtained by using the inventive lithographic printing plate support has a more improved resistance to spotting.

[0079] In the practice of the invention, the surface roughening treatment is a treatment in which electrochemical graining treatment is performed after mechanical graining treatment and chemical etching treatment are performed as desired, but also in cases where electrochemical graining treatment is performed without performing mechanical graining treatment, electrochemical graining treatment may be preceded by chemical etching treatment using an aqueous alkali solution such as sodium hydroxide. In this way, impurities which are present in the vicinity of the surface of the aluminum plate can be removed.

[0080] Electrochemical graining treatment easily forms fine pits at the surface of the aluminum plate and is therefore suitable to prepare a lithographic printing plate having excellent printability.

[0081] Electrochemical graining treatment is performed in an aqueous solution containing nitric acid or hydrochloric acid as its main ingredient using direct or alternating current.

[0082] Electrochemical graining treatment is preferably followed by chemical etching treatment described below. Smut and intermetallic compounds are present at the surface of the aluminum plate having undergone electrochemical graining treatment. In chemical etching treatment following electrochemical graining treatment, it is preferable for chemical etching using an alkali solution (alkali etching treatment) to be first performed particularly in order to remove smut with high efficiency. The conditions in chemical etching using an alkali solution preferably include a treatment temperature of 20 to 80°C and a treatment time of 1 to 60 seconds. It is desirable for the alkali solution to contain aluminum ions.

[0083] In order to remove substances generated by chemical etching treatment using an alkali solution following electrochemical graining treatment, it is further preferable to perform chemical etching treatment using an acid solution at a low temperature (desmutting treatment).

[0084] Even in cases where electrochemical graining treatment is not followed by alkali etching treatment, desmutting treatment is preferably performed to remove smut efficiently.

[0085] In the practice of the invention, chemical etching treatment is not particularly limited and may be performed by immersion, showering, coating or other process.

[First Anodizing Treatment Step]

[0086] The first anodizing treatment step is a step in which an anodized aluminum film having micropores which extend in the depth direction (thickness direction) of the film is formed at the surface of the aluminum surface by performing anodizing treatment on the aluminum plate having undergone the above-described surface roughening treatment. As shown in FIG. 2A, as a result of the first anodizing treatment step, an anodized aluminum film 14a bearing micropores 16a is formed at a surface of an aluminum substrate 12.

[0087] The first anodizing treatment may be performed by any method known in the art but the manufacturing conditions are appropriately set so that the foregoing micropores 16 may be eventually formed.

[0088] More specifically, the average diameter (average aperture size) of the micropores 16a formed in the first anodizing treatment step is typically from about 4 nm to about 40 nm and preferably 7 nm to 30 nm. An average diameter within this range facilitates the formation of the micropores 16 having the specified shapes and the resulting lithographic printing plate and presensitized plate have more excellent properties.

[0089] The micropores 16a typically have a depth of at least about 5 nm but less than about 80 nm and preferably 15 nm to 60 nm. A depth within this range facilitates the formation of the micropores 16 having the specified shapes and the resulting lithographic printing plate and presensitized plate have more excellent properties.

[0090] The density of the micropores 16a is not particularly limited and is preferably 50 to 4,000 micropores/µm², and more preferably 100 to 3,000 micropores/µm². At a micropore density within the above-defined range, the lithographic printing plate formed by using the lithographic printing plate support obtained after the above-described steps has a long press life and excellent deinking ability when left to stand and then presensitized plate has excellent on-press developability.

[0091] The anodized film obtained by the first anodizing treatment step typically has a thickness of 10 to 90 nm and preferably 15 to 80 nm. At a film thickness within the above-defined range, the lithographic printing plate formed by using the lithographic printing plate support obtained after the above-described steps has a long press life and excellent deinking ability when left to stand and the presensitized plate has excellent on-press developability.

[0092] The anodized film obtained by the first anodizing treatment step typically has a coating weight of 0.03 to 0.3 g/m² and preferably 0.12 to 0.25 g/m². At a coating weight within the above-defined range, the lithographic printing plate formed by using the lithographic printing plate support obtained after the above-described steps has a long press life and excellent deinking ability when left to stand and the presensitized plate has excellent on-press developability.

[0093] In the first anodizing treatment step, aqueous solutions of acids such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid and oxalic acid may be mainly used for the electrolytic solution. In some cases, aqueous solutions or non-aqueous solutions containing chromic acid, sulfamic acid, benzenesulfonic acid or a combination of two or more thereof may also be used. The anodized film can be formed at the surface of the aluminum plate by passing direct current or alternating current through the aluminum plate in the electrolytic solution as described above.

[0094] The electrolytic solution may contain aluminum ions. The content of the aluminum ions is not particularly limited and is preferably from 1 to 10 g/L.

[0095] The anodizing treatment conditions are set as appropriate for the electrolytic solution used. However, the following conditions are generally preferred: an electrolyte concentration of 1 to 80 wt% and preferably 5 to 20 wt%, a solution temperature of 5 to 70°C and preferably 10 to 60°C, a current density of 0.01 to 120 A/dm² and preferably 0.1 to 30 A/dm², a voltage of 1 to 100 V and preferably 10 to 80V, and an electrolysis time of 0.1 to 600 seconds and preferably 0.5 to 300 seconds.

[0096] Of these anodizing treatment methods, an anodizing method in sulfuric acid at a high current density as described in GB 1,412,768 and an anodizing method in an electrolytic cell containing phosphoric acid as described in US 3,511,661 are particularly preferred.

[Pore-Widening Treatment Step]

[0097] The pore-widening treatment step is a step for enlarging the diameter (pore size) of the micropores present in the anodized film formed by the above-described first anodizing treatment step (pore size-enlarging treatment). As shown in FIG. 2B, the pore-widening treatment enlarges the diameter of the micropores 16a to form an anodized film 14b having micropores 16b with a larger average diameter formed therein.

[0098] The pore-widening treatment increases the average diameter of the micropores 16b to a range of more than 60 nm but up to 100 nm and preferably more than 60 nm but up to 85 nm. The micropores 16b correspond to the above-described large-diameter portions 18.

[0099] Adjustment is preferably made by this treatment so that the depth of the micropores 16b from the film surface is approximately the same as the depth A.

[0100] Pore-widening treatment is performed by contacting the aluminum plate obtained by the above-described first anodizing treatment step with an aqueous acid or alkali solution. Examples of the contacting method include, but are not limited to, immersion and spraying. Of these, immersion is preferred.

[0101] When the pore-widening treatment step is to be performed with an aqueous alkali solution, it is preferable to use an aqueous solution of at least one alkali selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide. The aqueous alkali solution preferably has a concentration of 0.1 to 5 wt%.

[0102] The aluminum plate is suitably contacted with the aqueous alkali solution at 10°C to 70°C and preferably 20°C to 50°C for 1 to 300 seconds and preferably 1 to 50 seconds after the aqueous alkali solution is adjusted to a pH of 11 to 13.

[0103] The alkaline treatment solution may contain metal salts of polyvalent weak acids such as carbonates, borates and phosphates.

[0104] When the pore-widening treatment step is to be performed with an aqueous acid solution, it is preferable to use an aqueous solution of an inorganic acid such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid or hydrochloric acid, or a mixture thereof. The aqueous acid solution preferably has a concentration of 1 to 80 wt% and more preferably 5 to 50 wt%.

[0105] The aluminum plate is suitably contacted with the aqueous acid solution at 5°C to 70°C and preferably 10°C to 60°C for 1 to 300 seconds and preferably 1 to 150 seconds.

[0106] The aqueous alkali or acid solution may contain aluminum ions. The content of the aluminum ions is not particularly limited and is preferably from 1 to 10 g/L.

[Second Anodizing Treatment Step]

[0107] The second anodizing treatment step is a step in which micropores which further extend in the depth direction (thickness direction) of the film is formed by performing anodizing treatment on the aluminum plate having undergone the above-described pore-widening treatment. As shown in FIG. 2C, an anodized film 14c having micropores 16c and extending in the depth direction (thickness direction) of the film is formed by the second anodizing treatment step.

[0108] The second anodizing treatment step forms new pores which communicate with the bottoms of the micropores 16b with the enlarged average diameter, have a smaller average diameter than that of the micropores 16b corresponding to the large-diameter portions 18 and extend from the communication positions in the depth direction. The pores correspond to the above-described small-diameter portions 20.

[0109] In the second anodizing treatment step, the treatment is performed so that the new pores (small-diameter portions 20) in which the above-described average diameter is more than 0 but less than 15 nm and the depth from the positions at which the small-diameter portions communicate with the bottoms of the large-diameter portions 18 is within the specified range is formed. The electrolytic cell used for the treatment is the same as used in the first anodizing treatment step and the treatment conditions are set as appropriate for the materials used.

[0110] The anodizing treatment conditions are set as appropriate for the electrolytic solution used. However, the following conditions are generally preferred: an electrolyte concentration of 1 to 80 wt% and preferably 5 to 20 wt%, a solution temperature of 5 to 70°C and preferably 10 to 60°C, a current density of 0.5 to 60 A/dm² and preferably 1 to 30 A/dm², a voltage of 1 to 100 V and preferably 5 to 50 V, and an electrolysis time of 1 to 100 seconds and preferably 5 to 60 seconds.

[0111] The anodized film obtained by the second anodizing treatment step typically has a thickness of 900 to 2,000 nm and preferably 900 to 1,500 nm. At a film thickness within the above-defined range, the lithographic printing plate formed by using the lithographic printing plate support obtained after the above-described steps has a long press life and excellent deinking ability when left to stand and the presensitized plate has excellent on-press developability.

[0112] The anodized film obtained by the second anodizing treatment step typically has a coating weight of 2.2 to 5.4 g/m² and preferably 2.2 to 4.0 g/m². At a coating weight within the above-defined range, the lithographic printing plate formed by using the lithographic printing plate support obtained after the above-described steps has a long press life and excellent deinking ability when left to stand and the presensitized plate has excellent on-press developability.

[0113] The ratio between the thickness of the anodized film obtained by the first anodizing treatment step (first film thickness) and that of the anodized film obtained by the second anodizing treatment step (second film thickness) (first film thickness / second film thickness) is preferably from 0.002 to 0.05 and more preferably from 0.02 to 0.05. At a film thickness ratio within the above-defined range, the lithographic printing plate support has excellent scratch resistance.

[Preferred Embodiment of Anodizing Treatment]

[0114] A method in which a solution containing phosphoric acid or oxalic acid and preferably phosphoric acid is used for the electrolytic cell is a preferred embodiment of the above-described first anodizing treatment step. The lithographic printing plate obtained by performing this treatment has a longer press life and the presensitized plate has more excellent on-press developability.

[0115] The mechanism by which these effects are obtained is described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C.

[0116] Anodizing treatment in a solution containing phosphoric acid or oxalic acid enables an anodized film having micropores whose diameter increases in the film thickness direction to be formed. Such an anodized film is dissolved by immersion in an acid/alkali bath whereby such a micropore shape as shown in FIG. 3B can be formed. The micropore shape can increase the micropore density in the same average pore size and prolong the press life as compared to the anodized film in which the pore size does not increase in the film thickness direction.

[0117] An anodized aluminum film 14d having micropores 16d is formed at the surface of the aluminum plate 12 by performing anodizing treatment using an electrolytic cell containing phosphoric acid or oxalic acid as shown in FIG. 3A. As shown, the micropores 16d formed have a different shape from that in the case of using another type of electrolytic cell and is in such a tapered shape that the bottom internal diameter is larger than the aperture diameter.

[0118] Then, the pore-widening treatment step enlarges the diameter of the micropores 16d to form an anodized film 14e having micropores 16e with a larger average diameter formed therein (see FIG. 3B).

[0119] An anodized film 14f which has micropores 16f extending in the depth direction (thickness direction) of the film is formed by the second anodizing treatment step (see FIG. 3C).

[0120] The first anodizing treatment step using phosphoric acid or oxalic acid enables the micropores formed to have a more advantageous shape to the properties such as press life, on-press developability and deinking ability when left to stand (the large-diameter portions are in a substantially hemispherical shape) as compared to the case using another type of electrolytic cell (for example, one containing sulfuric acid).

[0121] That is, the use of the lithographic printing plate support obtained by the mechanism shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C enables the lithographic printing plate obtained to exhibit a longer press life and deinking ability when left to stand and the presensitized plate obtained to exhibit excellent on-press developability.

[0122] In other words, beneficial effects of the invention are achieved in the lithographic printing plate support obtained by the manufacturing method which includes the first anodizing treatment step in which the aluminum plate is anodized with a solution containing phosphoric acid or oxalic acid, the pore-widening treatment step in which the anodizing film-bearing aluminum plate obtained by the first anodizing treatment step is contacted with an aqueous acid or alkali solution to enlarge the diameter of the micropores in the anodized film, and the second anodizing treatment step in which the aluminum plate obtained by the pore-widening treatment step is anodized.

[Hydrophilizing Treatment Step]

[0123] The method of manufacturing the lithographic printing plate support of the invention may have a hydrophilizing treatment step in which the aluminum plate is hydrophilized after the above-described second anodizing treatment step. Hydrophilizing treatment may be performed by any known method described in paragraphs [0109] to [0114] of JP 2005-254638 A.

[0124] It is preferable to perform hydrophilizing treatment by a method in which the aluminum plate is immersed in an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate such as sodium silicate or potassium silicate, or is coated with a hydrophilic vinyl polymer or a hydrophilic compound so as to form a hydrophilic undercoat.

[0125] Hydrophilizing treatment with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate such as sodium silicate or potassium silicate can be performed according to the processes and procedures described in US 2,714,066 and US 3, 181, 461.

[0126] On the other hand, the lithographic printing plate support of the invention is preferably obtained by subjecting the aluminum plate to the respective treatments described in Aspect A in the orders shown below. Rinsing with water is desirably performed between the respective treatments. However, in cases where a solution of the same composition is used in consecutive two steps (treatments), rinsing with water may be omitted.

(Aspect A)

[0127] 

(1) Mechanical graining treatment;

(2) Chemical etching treatment in an aqueous alkali solution (first alkali etching treatment);

(3) Chemical etching treatment in an aqueous acid solution (first desmutting treatment);

(4) Electrochemical graining treatment in a nitric acid-based aqueous solution (first electrochemical graining treatment);

(5) Chemical etching treatment in an aqueous alkali solution (second alkali etching treatment);

(6) Chemical etching treatment in an aqueous acid solution (second desmutting treatment);

(7) Electrochemical graining treatment in a hydrochloric acid-based aqueous solution (second electrochemical graining treatment);

(8) Chemical etching treatment in an aqueous alkali solution (third alkali etching treatment);

(9) Chemical etching treatment in an aqueous acid solution (third desmutting treatment);

(10) Anodizing treatment; and

(11) Hydrophilizing treatment.

[0128] Mechanical graining treatment, electrochemical graining treatment, chemical etching treatment, anodizing treatment and hydrophilizing treatment in (1) to (11) described above may be performed by the same treatment methods and conditions as those described above, but the treatment methods and conditions to be described below are preferably used to perform these treatments.

[0129] Mechanical graining treatment is preferably performed by using a rotating nylon brush roll having a bristle diameter of 0.2 to 1.61 mm and a slurry supplied to the surface of the aluminum plate.

[0130] Known abrasives may be used and illustrative examples that may be preferably used include silica sand, quartz, aluminum hydroxide and a mixture thereof.

[0131] The slurry preferably has a specific gravity of 1.05 to 1.3. Use may be made of a technique that involves spraying of the slurry, a technique that involves the use of a wire brush, or a technique in which the surface shape of a textured mill roll is transferred to the aluminum plate.

[0132] The aqueous alkali solution that may be used for chemical etching treatment in the aqueous alkali solution has a concentration of preferably 1 to 30 wt% and may contain aluminum and also alloying ingredients present in the aluminum alloy in an amount of 0 to 10 wt%.

[0133] An aqueous solution composed mainly of sodium hydroxide is preferably used for the aqueous alkali solution. Chemical etching is preferably performed at a solution temperature of room temperature to 95°C for a period of 1 to 120 seconds.

[0134] After the end of etching treatment, removal of the treatment solution with nip rollers and rinsing by spraying with water are preferably performed in order to prevent the treatment solution from being carried into the subsequent step.

[0135] In the first alkali etching treatment, the aluminum plate is dissolved in an amount of preferably 0.5 to 30 g/m², more preferably 1.0 to 20 g/m², and even more preferably 3.0 to 15 g/m².

[0136] In the second alkali etching treatment, the aluminum plate is dissolved in an amount of preferably 0.001 to 30 g/m², more preferably 0.1 to 4 g/m², and even more preferably 0.2 to 1.5 g/m².

[0137] In the third alkali etching treatment, the aluminum plate is dissolved in an amount of preferably 0.001 to 30 g/m², more preferably 0.01 to 0.8 g/m², and even more preferably 0.02 to 0.3 g/m² .

[0138] In chemical etching treatment in an aqueous acid solution (first to third desmutting treatments), phosphoric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, chromic acid, hydrochloric acid or a mixed acid containing two or more thereof may be advantageously used.

[0139] The aqueous acid solution preferably has a concentration of 0.5 to 60 wt%.

[0140] Aluminum and also alloying ingredients present in the aluminum alloy may dissolve in the aqueous acid solution in an amount of 0 to 5 wt%.

[0141] Chemical etching is preferably performed at a solution temperature of room temperature to 95°C for a treatment time of 1 to 120 seconds. After the end of desmutting treatment, removal of the treatment solution with nip rollers and rinsing by spraying with water are preferably performed in order to prevent the treatment solution from being carried into the subsequent step.

[0142] The aqueous solution that may be used in electrochemical graining treatment is now described.

[0143] An aqueous solution which is used in conventional electrochemical graining treatment involving the use of direct current or alternating current may be employed for the nitric acid-based aqueous solution used in the first electrochemical graining treatment. The aqueous solution to be used may be prepared by adding to an aqueous solution having a nitric acid concentration of 1 to 100 g/L at least one nitrate compound containing nitrate ions, such as aluminum nitrate, sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate, or at least one chloride compound containing chloride ions, such as aluminum chloride, sodium chloride or ammonium chloride in a range of 1 g/L to saturation.

[0144] Metals which are present in the aluminum alloy, such as iron, copper, manganese, nickel, titanium, magnesium and silicon may also be dissolved in the nitric acid-based aqueous solution.

[0145] More specifically, use is preferably made of a solution to which aluminum chloride or aluminum nitrate is added so that a 0.5 to 2 wt% aqueous solution of nitric acid may contain 3 to 50 g/L of aluminum ions.

[0146] The temperature is preferably from 10 to 90°C and more preferably from 40 to 80°C.

[0147] An aqueous solution which is used in conventional electrochemical graining treatment involving the use of direct current or alternating current may be employed for the hydrochloric acid-based aqueous solution used in the second electrochemical graining treatment. The aqueous solution to be used may be prepared by adding to an aqueous solution having a hydrochloric acid concentration of 1 to 100 g/L at least one nitrate compound containing nitrate ions, such as aluminum nitrate, sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate, or at least one chloride compound containing chloride ions, such as aluminum chloride, sodium chloride or ammonium chloride in a range of 1 g/L to saturation.

[0148] Metals which are present in the aluminum alloy, such as iron, copper, manganese, nickel, titanium, magnesium and silicon may also be dissolved in the hydrochloric acid-based aqueous solution.

[0149] More specifically, use is preferably made of a solution to which aluminum chloride or aluminum nitrate is added so that a 0.5 to 2 wt% aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid may contain 3 to 50 g/L of aluminum ions.

[0150] The temperature is preferably from 10 to 60°C and more preferably from 20 to 50°C. Hypochlorous acid may be added to the aqueous solution.

[0151] A sinusoidal, square, trapezoidal or triangular waveform may be used as the waveform of the alternating current in electrochemical graining treatment. The frequency is preferably from 0.1 to 250 Hz.

[0152] FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of an alternating current waveform that may be used to perform electrochemical graining treatment in the method of manufacturing the lithographic printing plate support of the invention.

[0153] In Fig. 4, "ta" represents the anodic reaction time, "tc" the cathodic reaction time, "tp" the time required for the current to reach a peak from zero, "Ia" the peak current on the anode cycle side, and "Ic" the peak current on the cathode cycle side. In the trapezoidal waveform, it is preferable for the time tp until the current reaches a peak from zero to be from 1 to 10 ms. At a time tp of less than 1 ms under the influence of impedance in the power supply circuit, a large power supply voltage is required at the leading edge of the current pulse, thus increasing the power supply equipment costs. At a time tp of more than 10 ms, the aluminum plate tends to be affected by trace ingredients in the electrolytic solution, making it difficult to perform uniform graining. One cycle of alternating current that may be used in electrochemical graining treatment preferably satisfies the following conditions: the ratio of the cathodic reaction time tc to the anodic reaction time ta in the aluminum plate (tc/ta) is from 1 to 20; the ratio of the amount of electricity Qc when the aluminum plate serves as a cathode to the amount of electricity Qa when it serves as an anode (Qc/Qa) is from 0.3 to 20; and the anodic reaction time ta is from 5 to 1,000 ms. The ratio tc/ta is more preferably from 2.5 to 15. The ratio Qc/Qa is more preferably from 2.5 to 15. The current density at the current peak in the trapezoidal waveform is preferably from 10 to 200 A/dm² on both of the anode cycle side (Ia) and the cathode cycle side (Ic). The ratio Ic/Ia is preferably in a range of 0.3 to 20. The total amount of electricity furnished for the anodic reaction on the aluminum plate up until completion of electrochemical graining treatment is preferably from 25 to 1,000 C/dm².

[0154] In the practice of the invention, any known electrolytic cell employed for surface treatment, including vertical, flat and radial type electrolytic cells, may be used to perform electrochemical graining treatment using alternating current. Radial-type electrolytic cells such as those described in JP 5-195300 A are especially preferred.

[0155] An apparatus shown in FIG. 5 may be used for electrochemical graining treatment using alternating current.

[0156] FIG. 5 is a side view of a radial electrolytic cell that may be used in electrochemical graining treatment with alternating current in the method of manufacturing the lithographic printing plate support of the invention.

[0157] FIG. 5 shows a main electrolytic cell 50, an AC power supply 51, a radial drum roller 52, main electrodes 53a and 53b, a solution feed inlet 54, an electrolytic solution 55, a slit 56, an electrolytic solution channel 57, auxiliary anodes 58, an auxiliary anode cell 60 and an aluminum plate W. When two or more electrolytic cells are used, electrolysis may be performed under the same or different conditions.

[0158] The aluminum plate W is wound around the radial drum roller 52 disposed so as to be immersed in the electrolytic solution within the main electrolytic cell 50 and is electrolyzed by the main electrodes 53a and 53b connected to the AC power supply 51 as it travels. The electrolytic solution 55 is fed from the solution feed inlet 54 through the slit 56 to the electrolytic solution channel 57 between the radial drum roller 52 and the main electrodes 53a and 53b. The aluminum plate W treated in the main electrolytic cell 50 is then electrolyzed in the auxiliary anode cell 60. In the auxiliary anode cell 60, the auxiliary anodes 58 are disposed in a face-to-face relationship with the aluminum plate W so that the electrolytic solution 55 flows through the space between the auxiliary anodes 58 and the aluminum plate W.

[0159] On the other hand, electrochemical graining treatment (first and second electrochemical graining treatments) may be performed by a method in which the aluminum plate is electrochemically grained by applying direct current between the aluminum plate and the electrodes opposed thereto.

<Drying step>

[0160] After the lithographic printing plate support has been obtained by performing the above-described surface treatments, it is advantageous to perform treatment for drying the surface of the support (drying step) before providing an image recording layer to be described later thereon.

[0161] Drying is preferably performed after the support having undergone the last surface treatment is rinsed with water and the water removed with nip rollers. Specific conditions are not particularly limited but the surface of the lithographic printing plate support is preferably dried by hot air of 50°C to 200°C or natural air.

[Presensitized Plate]

[0162] The presensitized plate of the invention can be obtained by forming an image recording layer such as a photosensitive layer or a thermosensitive layer on the lithographic printing plate support of the invention. The type of the image recording layer is not particularly limited but conventional positive type, conventional negative type, photopolymer type, thermal positive type, thermal negative type and on-press developable non-treatment type as described in paragraphs [0042] to [0198] of JP 2003-1956 A are preferably used.

[0163] A preferred image recording layer is described below in detail.

[Image Recording Layer]

[0164] An example of the image recording layer that may be preferably used in the presensitized plate of the invention includes one which can be removed by printing ink and/or fountain solution. More specifically, the image recording layer is preferably one which includes an infrared absorber, a polymerization initiator and a polymerizable compound and is capable of recording by exposure to infrared light.

[0165] In the presensitized plate of the invention, irradiation with infrared light cures exposed portions of the image recording layer to form hydrophobic (lipophilic) regions, while at the start of printing, unexposed portions are promptly removed from the support by fountain solution, ink, or an emulsion of ink and fountain solution.

[0166] The constituents of the image recording layer are described below.

(Infrared Absorber)

[0167] In cases where an image is formed on the presensitized plate of the invention using a laser emitting infrared light at 760 to 1,200 nm as a light source, an infrared absorber is usually used.

[0168] The infrared absorber has the function of converting absorbed infrared light into heat and the function of transferring electrons and energy to the polymerization initiator (radical generator) to be described below by excitation with infrared light.

[0169] The infrared absorber that may be used in the invention is a dye or pigment having an absorption maximum in a wavelength range of 760 to 1,200 nm.

[0170] Dyes which may be used include commercial dyes and known dyes that are mentioned in the technical literature, such as Senryo Binran [Handbook of Dyes] (The Society of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Japan, 1970).

[0171] Illustrative examples of suitable dyes include azo dyes, metal complex azo dyes, pyrazolone azo dyes, naphthoquinone dyes, anthraquinone dyes, phthalocyanine dyes, carbonium dyes, quinoneimine dyes, methine dyes, cyanine dyes, squarylium dyes, pyrylium salts and metal-thiolate complexes. In addition, cyanine dyes and indolenine cyanine dyes are more preferred, and cyanine dyes of the general formula (a) below are most preferred.

[Chemical formula 1]

[0172] 

wherein X¹ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, -N (R⁹) (R¹⁰) X²-L¹ or the following group. R⁹ and R¹⁰ may be the same or different and are each independently represent an aryl group containing 6 to 10 carbon atoms that may have a substituent, an alkyl group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms that may have a substituent, or a hydrogen atom. R⁹ and R¹⁰ may be bonded together to form a ring. Of these, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each preferably phenyl group (-NPh₂)- X² is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; L¹ is a hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a heteroaryl group or a hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms and having a heteroatom. Exemplary heteroatoms include nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, halogen atoms and selenium. X_a^- is defined in the same way as Z_a^- described below; and R^a is a substituent selected from among hydrogen atom, alkyl groups, aryl groups, substituted or unsubstituted amino groups and halogen atoms.

[Chemical formula 2]

[0173] 

R¹ and R² are each independently a hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms. In terms of the storage stability of the image recording layer-forming coating fluid, R¹ and R² are each preferably a hydrocarbon group containing at least 2 carbon atoms. R¹ and R² may be bonded together to form a ring and the ring formed is most preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring.

[0174] Ar¹ and Ar² may be the same or different and are each an aryl group that may have a substituent. Preferred aryl groups include benzene and naphthalene rings. Preferred examples of the substituent include hydrocarbon groups containing up to 12 carbon atoms, halogen atoms, and alkoxy groups containing up to 12 carbon atoms. Y¹ and Y² may be the same or different and are each a sulfur atom or a dialkylmethylene group containing up to 12 carbon atoms. R³ and R⁴ may be the same or different and are each a hydrocarbon group containing up to 20 carbon atoms which have a substituent. Preferred examples of the substituent include alkoxy groups containing up to 12 carbon atoms, carboxy group and sulfo group. R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ may be the same or different and are each a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group containing up to 12 carbon atoms. In consideration of the availability of the starting materials, it is preferable for each of R⁵ to R⁸ to be a hydrogen atom. Z_a^- represents a counteranion. In cases where the cyanine dye of the general formula (a) has an anionic substituent in the structure and there is no need for charge neutralization, Z_a^- is unnecessary. For good storage stability of the image recording layer-forming coating fluid, preferred examples of Z_a^- include halide ions, perchlorate ion, tetrafluoroborate ion, hexafluorophosphate ion and sulfonate ion. Of these, perchlorate ion, hexafluorophosphate ion and arylsulfonate ion are more preferred.

[0175] Specific examples of cyanine dyes of the general formula (a) that may be advantageously used include compounds described in paragraphs [0017] to [0019] of JP 2001-133969 A, paragraphs [0016] to [0021] of JP 2002-023360 A, and paragraphs [0012] to [0037] of JP.2002-040638 A, preferably compounds described in paragraphs [0034] to [0041] of JP 2002-278057 A and paragraphs [0080] to [0086] of JP 2008-195018 A, and most preferably compounds described in paragraphs [0035] to [0043] of JP 2007-90850 A. Compounds described in paragraphs [0008] to [0009] of JP 5-5005 A and paragraphs [0022] to [0025] of JP 2001-222101 A can also be preferably used.

[0176] These infrared absorbing dyes may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof, or in combination with infrared absorbers other than the infrared absorbing dyes such as pigments. Exemplary pigments that may be preferably used include compounds described in paragraphs [0072] to [0076] of JP 2008-195018 A.

[0177] The content of the infrared absorbing dyes in the image recording layer of the invention is preferably from 0.1 to 10.0 wt% and more preferably from 0.5 to 5.0 wt% with respect to the total solids in the image recording layer.

(Polymerization Initiator)

[0178] Exemplary polymerization initiators which may be used are compounds that generate a radical under light or heat energy or both, and initiate or promote the polymerization of a compound having a polymerizable unsaturated group. In the practice of the invention, compounds that generate a radical under the action of heat (thermal radical generators) are preferably used.

[0179] Known thermal polymerization initiators, compounds having a small bond dissociation energy and photopolymerization initiators may be used as the polymerization initiator.

[0180] For example, polymerization initiators described in paragraphs [0115] to [0141] of JP 2009-255434 A may be used.

[0181] Onium salts may be used as the polymerization initiator, and oxime ester compounds, diazonium salts, iodonium salts and sulfonium salts are preferred in terms of reactivity and stability.

[0182] These polymerization initiators may be added in an amount of 0.1 to 50 wt%, preferably 0.5 to 30 wt% and most preferably 1 to 20 wt% with respect to the total solids making up the image recording layer. An excellent sensitivity and a high resistance to scumming in non-image areas during printing are achieved at a polymerization initiator content within the above-defined range.

(Polymerizable Compound)

[0183] Polymerizable compounds are addition polymerizable compounds having at least one ethylenically unsaturated double bond, and are selected from compounds having at least one, and preferably two or more, terminal ethylenically unsaturated bonds. In the invention, use can be made of any addition polymerizable compound known in the prior art, without particular limitation.

[0184] For example, polymerizable compounds described in paragraphs [0142] to [0163] of JP 2009-255434 A may be used.

[0185] Urethane-type addition polymerizable compounds prepared using an addition reaction between an isocyanate group and a hydroxy group are also suitable. Specific examples include the vinylurethane compounds having two or more polymerizable vinyl groups per molecule that are obtained by adding a hydroxy group-bearing vinyl monomer of the general formula (A) below to the polyisocyanate compounds having two or more isocyanate groups per molecule mentioned in JP 48-41708 B.

         CH₂=C (R⁴) COOCH₂CH (R⁵) OH     (A)

wherein R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently H or CH₃.

[0186] The polymerizable compound is used in an amount of preferably 5 to 80 wt%, and more preferably 25 to 75 wt% with respect to the nonvolatile ingredients in the image recording layer. These addition polymerizable compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof.

(Binder Polymer)

[0187] In the practice of the invention, use may be made of a binder polymer in the image recording layer in order to improve the film forming properties of the image recording layer.

[0188] Conventionally known binder polymers may be used without any particular limitation and polymers having film forming properties are preferred. Examples of such binder polymers include acrylic resins, polyvinyl acetal resins, polyurethane resins, polyurea resins, polyimide resins, polyamide resins, epoxy resins, methacrylic resins, polystyrene resins, novolac phenolic resins, polyester resins, synthetic rubbers and natural rubbers.

[0189] Crosslinkability may be imparted to the binder polymer to enhance the film strength in image areas. To impart crosslinkability to the binder polymer, a crosslinkable functional group such as an ethylenically unsaturated bond may be introduced into the polymer main chain or side chain. The crosslinkable functional groups may be introduced by copolymerization.

[0190] Binder polymers disclosed in paragraphs [0165] to [0172] of JP 2009-255434 A may also be used.

[0191] The content of the binder polymer is from 5 to 90 wt%, preferably from 5 to 80 wt% and more preferably from 10 to 70 wt% with respect to the total solids in the image recording layer. A high strength in image areas and good image forming properties are achieved at a binder polymer content within the above-defined range.

[0192] The polymerizable compound and the binder polymer are preferably used at a weight ratio of 0.5/1 to 4/1.

(Surfactant)

[0193] A surfactant is preferably used in the image recording layer in order to promote the on-press developability at the start of printing and improve the coated surface state.

[0194] Exemplary surfactants include nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and fluorosurfactants.

[0195] For example, surfactants disclosed in paragraphs [0175] to [0179] of JP 2009-255434 A may be used.

[0196] The surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof.

[0197] The content of the surfactant is preferably from 0.001 to 10 wt%, and more preferably from 0.01 to 5 wt% with respect to the total solids in the image recording layer.

[0198] Various other compounds than those mentioned above may optionally be added to the image recording layer. For example, compounds disclosed in paragraphs [0181] to [0190] of JP 2009-255434 A such as colorants, printing-out agents, polymerization inhibitors, higher fatty acid derivatives, plasticizers, inorganic fine particles and low-molecular-weight hydrophilic compounds may be used.

[Formation of Image Recording Layer]

[0199] The image recording layer is formed by dispersing or dissolving the necessary ingredients described above in a solvent to prepare a coating fluid and applying the thus prepared coating fluid to the support. Examples of the solvent that may be used include, but are not limited to, ethylene dichloride, cyclohexanone, methyl ethyl ketone, methanol, ethanol, propanol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, 2-methoxyethyl acetate, 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate and water.

[0200] These solvents may be used alone or as mixtures of two or more thereof. The coating fluid has a solids concentration of preferably 1 to 50 wt%.

[0201] The image recording layer coating weight (solids content) on the support obtained after coating and drying varies depending on the intended application, although an amount of 0.3 to 3.0 g/m² is generally preferred. At an image recording layer coating weight within this range, a good sensitivity and good image recording layer film properties are obtained.

[0202] Examples of suitable methods of coating include bar coating, spin coating, spray coating, curtain coating, dip coating, air knife coating, blade coating and roll coating.

[Undercoat]

[0203] In the presensitized plate of the invention, it is desirable to provide an undercoat between the image recording layer and the lithographic printing plate support.

[0204] The undercoat preferably contains a polymer having a substrate adsorbable group, a polymerizable group and a hydrophilic group.

[0205] An example of the polymer having a substrate adsorbable group, a polymerizable group and a hydrophilic group includes an undercoating polymer resin obtained by copolymerizing an adsorbable group-bearing monomer, a hydrophilic group-bearing monomer and a polymerizable reactive group (crosslinkable group)-bearing monomer.

[0206] Monomers described in paragraphs [0197] to [0210] of JP 2009-255434 A may be used for the undercoating polymer resin.

[0207] Various known methods may be used to apply the undercoat-forming coating solution containing the constituents of the undercoat to the support. Examples of suitable methods of coating include bar coating, spin coating, spray coating, curtain coating, dip coating, air knife coating, blade coating and roll coating.

[0208] The coating weight (solids content) of the undercoat is preferably from 0.1 to 100 mg/m² and more preferably from 1 to 50 mg/m² .

[Protective Layer]

[0209] In the presensitized plate of the invention, the image recording layer may optionally have a protective layer formed thereon to prevent scuffing and other damage to the image recording layer, to serve as an oxygen barrier, and to prevent ablation during exposure to a high-intensity laser.

[0210] The protective layer is described in detail in, for example, US 3,458,311 and JP 55-49729 B.

[0211] Exemplary materials that may be used for the protective layer include those described in paragraphs [0213] to [0227] of JP 2009-255434 A (e.g., water-soluble polymer compounds and inorganic layered compounds).

[0212] The thus prepared protective layer-forming coating fluid is applied onto the image recording layer provided on the support and dried to form the protective layer. The coating solvent may be selected as appropriate in connection with the binder, but distilled water and purified water are preferably used in cases where a water-soluble polymer is employed. Examples of the coating method used to form the protective layer include, but are not limited to, blade coating, air knife coating, gravure coating, roll coating, spray coating, dip coating and bar coating.

[0213] The coating weight after drying of the protective layer is preferably from 0.01 to 10 g/m², more preferably from 0.02 to 3 g/m², and most preferably from 0.02 to 1 g/m²

[0214] The inventive presensitized plate having the image recording layer as described above exhibits excellent deinking ability when left to stand and a long press life in the lithographic printing plate formed therefrom and exhibits improved on-press developability in the case of an on-press developing type.

EXAMPLES

[0215] The invention is described below in detail by way of examples. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the following examples.

[Manufacture of Lithographic Printing Plate Support]

[0216] Aluminum alloy plates of material type IS with a thickness of 0.3 mm were subjected to the treatments (a) to (m) to manufacture lithographic printing plate supports. Rinsing treatment was performed between the respective treatment steps and after rinsing treatment the remaining water was removed with nip rollers.

(a) Mechanical graining treatment (brush graining)

[0217] Mechanical graining treatment was performed with rotating bristle bundle brushes of an apparatus as shown in FIG. 6 while feeding an abrasive slurry in the form of a suspension of pumice having a specific gravity of 1.1 g/cm³ to the surface of the aluminum plate. FIG. 6 shows an aluminum plate 1, roller-type brushes (bristle bundle brushes in Examples) 2 and 4, an abrasive-containing slurry 3, and support rollers 5, 6, 7 and 8.

[0218] Mechanical graining treatment was performed using an abrasive having a median diameter of 30 µm while rotating four brushes at 250 rpm. The bristle bundle brushes were made of nylon 6/10 and had a bristle diameter of 0.3 mm and a bristle length of 50 mm. Each brush was constructed of a 300 mm diameter stainless steel cylinder in which holes had been formed and bristles densely set. Two support rollers (200 mm diameter) were provided below each bristle bundle brush and spaced 300 mm apart. The bundle bristle brushes were pressed against the aluminum plate until the load on the driving motor that rotate the brushes was greater by 10 kW than before the bundle bristle brushes were pressed against the plate. The direction in which the brushes were rotated was the same as the direction in which the aluminum plate was moved.

(b) Alkali etching treatment

[0219] Etching treatment was performed by using a spray line to spray the aluminum plate obtained as described above with an aqueous solution having a sodium hydroxide concentration of 26 wt%, an aluminum ion concentration of 6.5 wt%, and a temperature of 70°C. The plate was then rinsed by spraying with water. The amount of dissolved aluminum was 10 g/m².

(c) Desmutting treatment in aqueous acid solution

[0220] Next, desmutting treatment was performed in an aqueous nitric acid solution. The nitric acid wastewater from the subsequent electrochemical graining treatment step was used for the aqueous nitric acid solution in desmutting treatment. The solution temperature was 35°C. Desmutting treatment was performed by spraying the plate with the desmutting solution for 3 seconds.

(d) Electrochemical graining treatment

[0221] Electrochemical graining treatment was consecutively performed by nitric acid electrolysis using a 60 Hz AC voltage. Aluminum nitrate was added to an aqueous solution containing 10.4 g/L of nitric acid at a temperature of 35°C to prepare an electrolytic solution having an adjusted aluminum ion concentration of 4.5 g/L, and the electrolytic solution was used in electrochemical graining treatment. The alternating current waveform was as shown in FIG. 4 and electrochemical graining treatment was performed for a period of time tp until the current reached a peak from zero of 0.8 ms, at a duty ratio of 1:1, using an alternating current having a trapezoidal waveform, and with a carbon electrode as the counter electrode. A ferrite was used for the auxiliary anodes. An electrolytic cell of the type shown in FIG. 5 was used. The current density at the current peak was 30 A/dm². Of the current that flows from the power supply, 5% was diverted to the auxiliary anodes. The amount of electricity (C/dm²), which is the total amount of electricity when the aluminum plate serves as an anode, was 185 C/dm². The plate was then rinsed by spraying with water.

(e) Alkali etching treatment

[0222] Etching treatment was performed by using a spray line to spray the aluminum plate obtained as described above with an aqueous solution having a sodium hydroxide concentration of 5 wt%, an aluminum ion concentration of 0.5 wt%, and a temperature of 50°C. The plate was then rinsed by spraying with water. The amount of dissolved aluminum was 0.5 g/m ²

(f) Desmutting treatment in aqueous acid solution

[0223] Next, desmutting treatment was performed in an aqueous sulfuric acid solution. The aqueous sulfuric acid solution used in desmutting treatment was a solution having a sulfuric acid concentration of 170 g/L and an aluminum ion concentration of 5 g/L. The solution temperature was 60°C. Desmutting treatment was performed by spraying the plate with the desmutting solution for 3 seconds.

(g) Electrochemical graining treatment

[0224] Electrochemical graining treatment was consecutively performed by hydrochloric acid electrolysis using a 60 Hz AC voltage. Aluminum chloride was added to an aqueous solution containing 6.2 g/L of hydrochloric acid at a temperature of 35°C to prepare an electrolytic solution having an adjusted aluminum ion concentration of 4.5 g/L, and the electrolytic solution was used in electrochemical graining treatment. The alternating current waveform was as shown in FIG. 4 and electrochemical graining treatment was performed for a period of time tp until the current reached a peak from zero of 0.8 ms, at a duty ratio of 1:1, using an alternating current having a trapezoidal waveform, and with a carbon electrode as the counter electrode. A ferrite was used for the auxiliary anodes. An electrolytic cell of the type shown in FIG. 5 was used.

[0225] The current density at the current peak was 25 A/dm². The amount of electricity (C/dm²) in hydrochloric acid electrolysis, which is the total amount of electricity when the aluminum plate serves as an anode, was 63 C/dm². The plate was then rinsed by spraying with water.

(h) Alkali etching treatment

[0226] Etching treatment was performed by using a spray line to spray the aluminum plate obtained as described above with an aqueous solution having a sodium hydroxide concentration of 5 wt%, an aluminum ion concentration of 0.5 wt%, and a temperature of 50°C. The plate was then rinsed by spraying with water. The amount of dissolved aluminum was 0.1 g/m².

(i) Desmutting treatment in aqueous acid solution

[0227] Next, desmutting treatment was performed in an aqueous sulfuric acid solution. More specifically, wastewater generated in the anodizing treatment step (aqueous solution containing 170 g/L of sulfuric acid and 5 g/L of aluminum ions dissolved therein) was used to perform desmutting treatment at a solution temperature of 35°C for seconds. Desmutting treatment was performed by spraying the plate with the desmutting solution for 3 seconds.

(j) First Anodizing Treatment

[0228] The first anodizing treatment was performed by DC electrolysis using an anodizing apparatus of the structure as shown in FIG. 7. The anodizing treatment was performed under the conditions shown in Table 1 to form the anodized film with a specified film thickness. Aqueous solutions of acids such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid and oxalic acid were used for the electrolytic solution.

[0229] In an anodizing apparatus 610, an aluminum plate 616 is transported as shown by arrows in FIG. 7. The aluminum plate 616 is positively (+) charged by a power supply electrode 620 in a power supply cell 612 containing an electrolytic solution 618. The aluminum plate 616 is then transported upward by a roller 622 disposed in the power supply cell 612, turned downward on a nip roller 624 and transported toward an electrolytic cell 614 containing an electrolytic solution 626 to be turned to a horizontal direction by a roller 628. Then, the aluminum plate 616 is negatively (-) charged by an electrolytic electrode 630 to form an anodized film on the plate surface. The aluminum plate 616 emerging from the electrolytic cell 614 is then transported to the section for the subsequent step. In the anodizing apparatus 610, the roller 622, the nip roller 624 and the roller 628 constitute direction changing means, and the aluminum plate 616 is transported through the power supply cell 612 and the electrolytic cell 614 in a mountain shape and a reversed U shape by means of these rollers 622, 624 and 628. The power supply electrode 620 and the electrolytic electrode 630 are connected to a dc power supply 634.

(k) Pore-Widening Treatment

[0230] Pore-widening treatment was performed by immersing the anodized aluminum plate in an aqueous solution having a sodium hydroxide concentration of 5 wt%, an aluminum ion concentration of 0.5 wt%, and a temperature of 35°C under the conditions shown in Table 1. The plate was then rinsed by spraying with water.

(1) Second Anodizing Treatment

[0231] The second anodizing treatment was performed by DC electrolysis using an anodizing apparatus of the structure as shown in FIG. 7. The anodizing treatment was performed under the conditions shown in Table 1 to form the anodized film with a specified film thickness. Aqueous solution of sulfuric acid was used for the electrolytic solution.

(m) Silicate Treatment

[0232] In order to ensure the hydrophilicity in non-image areas, silicate treatment was performed by dipping the plate into an aqueous solution containing 2.5 wt% of No. 3 sodium silicate at 50°C for 7 seconds. The amount of deposited silicon was 8.5 mg/m². The plate was then rinsed by spraying with water.

[0233] The average diameter of the large-diameter portions at the surface of the anodized film, the average diameter of the small-diameter portions at their communication position and the depth in the micropore-bearing anodized film after the second anodizing treatment step (1) are collectively shown in Table 2.

[0234] The average diameter of the micropores (average diameter of the large-diameter portions and that of the small-diameter portions) were determined as follows: The surface of the support (surface of the anodized film) was taken by FE-SEM at a magnification of 150,000X to obtain four images, and in the resulting four images, the diameter of the micropores (including the large-diameter portions and small-diameter portions) was measured within an area of 400 x 600 nm² and the average of the measurements was calculated.

[0235] The depth of the micropores (depth of the large-diameter portions and that of the small-diameter portions) were determined as follows: The cross-sectional surface of the support (anodized film) was taken by FE-SEM at a magnification of 150,000X, and in the resulting image, the depth of arbitrarily selected 25 micropores were measured and the average of the measurements was calculated.

[Table 3]

	Micropore
	Large diameter portion			Small-diameter portion		Pit density (number of pits per µm2)	Occupation ratio of micropores	Volume fraction of micropores
	Average diameter (nm)	Depth(nm)	Depth/Average diameter	Average diameter (nm)	Depth(nm)
EX1	9.1	52	0.57	10	901	189	2.55	133
EX2	B8	37	0.42	10	921	195	2.63	97
EX3	84	24	0.29	10	938	204	2.15	66
EX4	81	15	0.19	10	95b	224	3.19	48
EX5	79	7	0.09	10	965	730	3.28	23
EX6	73	56	0.77	10	903	195	2.18	1.22
EX7	72	41	0.57	10	925	207	2.42	99
EX8	76	27	0.36	10	936	212	2.68	72
EK9	81	18	0.22	10	953	187	2.22	40
EX10	83	10	0.12	10	963	191	2.38	24
EX11	67	58	0.87	10	907	196	20.02	117
EX12	66	46	0.10	10	917	203	2.14	98
EX13	68	30	0.44	10	937	215	2.47	74
EX14	72	21	0.29	10	951	221	2.76	58
EX15	74	11	0.25	10	962	217	2.74	30
EX16	89	52	0.58	10	940	175	2.14	111
EX17	79	29	0.30	10	967	191	2.26	54
EX18	77	15	0.19	10	957	193	2.25	34
EX19	76	7	0.09	10	949	199	2.36	17
EX20	71	56	0.79	10	939	231	2.98	167
EX21	69	41	0.59	10	979	2.31	2.89	119
EX22	73	27	0.37	10	962	218	2.72	74
EX23	77	18	0.23	10	958	203	2.49	45
EX24	74	10	0.14	10	946	215	2.69	27
EX25	63	58	0.92	10	939	234	2.71	157
EX26	61	46	0.75	10	976	234	2.62	121
EX27	62	21	0.34	10	959	225	2.41	52
EX28	84	24	0.29	13	940	201	2.67	64
EX29	84	24	0.29	13	900	201	2.67	64
EX30	84	24	0.29	13	940	201	2.67	64
EX31	83	23	0.28	10	1742	206	2.75	63
CE 1	91	124	1.36	10	840	189	2.55	317
CE 2	94	178	1.89	10	790	176	2.29	407
CE 3	95	211	2.22	10	740	173	2.23	471
CE 4	89	124	1.39	10	888	175	2.14	265
CE 5	91	178	3.96	10	837	174	2.16	385
CE 6	94	211	2.24	10	781	171	2.16	456
CE 7	84	25	0.30	18	940	189	2.36	59
CE 8	81	23	0.28	10	825	187	2.22	51
CE 9	85	24	0.28	10	661	191	2.44	58
CE 10	13	35	2.69	10	661	432	1.91	67
CE 11	84	24	0.29	23	2122	201	2.67	64
CE 12	84	24	0.29	13	832	201	2.67	64
CE 13	121	52	0.43	10	940	189	3.39	17
CE 14	17	268	15.76	8	836	3500	4.05	1086
CR 15	40	301	7.53	5	649	800	1.68	505
CE 16	20	268	13.40	8	682	900	1.24	332
CE 17	16	380	23.75	8	644	5000	2.61	993
CE 18	15	345	23.00	8	644	25	2.62	905

[0236] In Examples 1 to 31, micropores having specified average diameter and depth were formed in the anodized aluminum film.

[Manufacture of Presensitized Plate]

[0237] An undercoat-forming coating solution of the composition indicated below was applied onto each lithographic printing plate support manufactured as described above to a coating weight after drying of 28 mg/m² to thereby form an undercoat.

<Undercoat-Forming Coating Solution>

[0238] 

* Undercoating compound (1) of thestructure shown below		0.18 g
* Hydroxyethylimino diacetic acid		0.10 g
* Methanol		55.24 g
* Water		6.15 g

[Chemical formula 3]

[0239] 

[0240] Then, an image recording layer-forming coating fluid was applied onto the thus formed undercoat by bar coating and dried in an oven at 100°C for 60 seconds to form an image recording layer having a coating weight after drying of 1.3 g/m².

[0241] The image recording layer-forming coating fluid was obtained by mixing with stirring the photosensitive solution and microgel fluid shown below just before use in application.

<photosensitive Solution>

[0242] 

* Binder polymer (1)
[its structure is shown below]	0.24 g
* Infrared absorber (1)
[its structure is shown below]	0.030 g
* Radical polymerization initiator (1)
[its structure is shown below]	0.162 g
* Polymerizable compound,
tris(acryloyloxyerhyl)isocyanurate
(NK ester A-9300 available from
Shin-nakamura Chemical Corporation)	0.192 g
* Low-molecular-weight hydrophilic
compound, tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate	0.062 g
* Low-molecular-weight hydrophilic
compound (1) [its structure is shown below]	0.052 g
* Sensitizer
Phosphonium compound (1)
[its structure is shown below]	0.055 g
* Sensitizer
Benzyl-dimethyl-octyl ammonium-PF6 salt	0.018 g
* Betaine derivative (C-1)	0.010 g
Fluorosurfactant (1)
(weight-average molecular weight: 10,000)
[its structure is shown below]	0.008 g
* Methyl ethyl ketone	1.091 g
* 1-Methoxy-2-propanol	8.609 g
<Microgel Fluid>
* Microgel (1)	2.64 g
* Distilled water	2.425 g

[0243] The binder polymer (1), the infrared absorber (1), the radical polymerization initiator (1), the phosphonium compounds (1), the low-molecular-weight hydrophilic compound (1) and the fluorosurfactant (1) have the structures represented by the following formulas:

[Chemical formula 4]

[0244] 

[chemical formula 5]

[0245] 

[0246] The microgel (1) was synthesized by the following procedure.

〈synthesis of Microgel (1)>

[0247] For the oil phase component, 10g of an adduct of trimethylolpropane with xylene diisocyanate (Takenate D-110N available from Mitsui Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.), 3.15 g of pentaerythritol triacrylate (SR444 available from Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.) and 0.1 g of Pionin A-41C (available from Takemoto Oil & Fat Co., Ltd.) were dissolved in 17 g of ethyl acetate. For the aqueous phase component, 40 g of a 4 wt% aqueous solution of PVA-205 was prepared. The oil phase component and the aqueous phase component were mixed and emulsified in a homogenizer at 12,000 rpm for 10 minutes. The resulting emulsion was added to 25 g of distilled water and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes, then at 50°C for 3 hours. The thus obtained microgel fluid was diluted with distilled water so as to have a solids concentration of 15 wt% and used as the microgel (1). The average particle size of the microgel as measured by a light scattering method was 0.2 µm.

[0248] Then, a protective layer-forming coating fluid of the composition indicated below was applied onto the thus formed image recording layer by bar coating and dried in an oven at 120°C for 60 seconds to form a protective layer having a coating weight after drying of 0.15 g/m², thereby obtaining a presensitized plate.

<Protective Layer-Forming Coating Fluid>

[0249] 

* Dispersion of an inorganic layered compound (1)	1.5 g
* 6 wt% Aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (CKS50; modified with sulfonic acid; degree of saponification: at least 99 mol%; degree of polymerization: 300; available from Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)	0.55 g
* 6 wt% Aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA-405; degree of saponification: 81.5 mo%; degree of polymerization: 500; available from Kuraray Co., Ltd.)	0.03 g
1 wt% Aqueous solution of surfactant (EMALEX 710
available from Nihon Emulsion Co., Ltd.)	8.60 g
* Ion-exchanged water	6.0 g

[0250] The dispersion of the inorganic layered compound (1) was prepared by the following procedure.

(Preparation of Dispersion of Inorganic Layered Compound (1))

[0251] To 193.6 g of ion-exchanged water was added 6.4 g of synthetic mica Somasif ME-100 (available from Co-Op Chemical Co., Ltd.) and the mixture was dispersed in a homogenizer to an average particle size as measured by a laser scattering method of 3 µm. The resulting dispersed particles had an aspect ratio of at least 100.

[Evaluation of Presensitized Plate]

(On-press developability)

[0252] The resulting presensitized plate was exposed by Luxel PLATESETTER T-6000III from FUJIFILM Corporation equipped with an infrared semiconductor laser at an external drum rotation speed of 1,000 rpm, a laser power of 70% and a resolution of 2,400 dpi. The exposed image was set to contain a solid image and a 50% halftone chart of a 20µm-dot FM screen.

[0253] The resulting presensitized plate after exposure was mounted without a development process on the plate cylinder of a Lithrone 26 press available from Komori Corporation. A fountain solution Ecolity-2 (FUJIFILM Corporation) /tap water at a volume ratio of 2/98 and Values-G (N) black ink (Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.) were used. The fountain solution and the ink were supplied by the standard automatic printing start-up procedure on the Lithrone 26 to perform on-press development, and 100 impressions were printed on Tokubishi art paper (76.5 kg) at a printing speed of 10,000 impressions per hour.

[0254] The on-press developability was evaluated as the number of sheets of printing paper required to reach the state in which not ink is transferred to halftone non-image areas after the completion of the on-press development of the unexposed areas of the 50% halftone chart on the printing press. The on-press developability was rated as "excellent" when the number of sheets was up to 20, "good" when the number of sheets was from 21 to 30, and "poor" when the number of sheets was 31 or more. The results are shown in Table 3.

(Deinking ability when left to stand)

[0255] Once good impressions were obtained after the end of the on-press development, printing was temporarily stopped and the printing plate was left to stand on the plate cylinder for 1 hour in a room at a temperature of 25°C and a humidity of 50%. Then, printing was resumed and the deinking ability was evaluated as the number of sheets of printing paper required to obtain a good unstained impression. The deinking ability was rated as "excellent" when the number of sheets was up to 75, "good" when the number of sheets was 76 to 300, and "poor" when the number of sheets was 301 or more. The results are shown in Table 3.

(Press life)

[0256] On-press development was performed on the same type of printing press by the same procedure as above and printing was further continued. The press life was evaluated by the number of impressions at the time when the decrease in density of a solid image became visually recognizable. The press life was rated "poor" when the number of impressions was less than 10,000, "fair" when the number of impressions was at least 10,000 but less than 20,000, "good" when the number of impressions was at least 20,000 but less than 30,000, and "excellent" when the number of impressions was 30,000 or more. The results are shown in Table 3. It is necessary for the evaluation results in Table 3 not to include "fair" and "poor."

(Scratch resistance)

[0257] The surface of the resulting lithographic printing plate support was subjected to a scratch test to evaluate the scratch resistance of the lithographic printing plate support.

[0258] The scratch test was performed using a continuous loading scratching intensity tester (SB-53 manufactured by Shinto Scientific Co., Ltd.) while moving a sapphire needle with a diameter of 0.4 mm at a moving velocity of 10 cm/s at a load of 100 g.

[0259] As a result, the support in which scratches due to the needle did not reach the surface of the aluminum alloy plate (base) was rate "good" as having excellent scratch resistance

[0260] and the support in which scratches reached the plate surface was rated "poor." The lithographic printing plate support exhibiting excellent scratch resistance at a load of 100 g can suppress the scratches from transferring to the image recording layer when the presensitized plate prepared therefrom is mounted on the plate cylinder or superposed on another, thus reducing scumming in non-image areas.

[0261] [Table 4]

Table 3

	Press life	Deinking ability when left to stand	On-press developability	Scratch resistance
EX1	Excellent	Good	Good	Good
EX2	Excellent	Excellent	Good	Good
EX3	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX4	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX5	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX6	Excellent	Good	Good	Good
EX7	Excellent	Excellent	Good	Good
EX8	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX9	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX10	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX11	Excellent	Good	Good	Good
EX12	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX13	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX14	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX15	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX16	Excellent	Good	Good	Good
EX17	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX18	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX19	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX20	Excellent	Good	Good	Good
EX21	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX22	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX23	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX24	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX25	Excellent	Good	Good	Good
EX26	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX27	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good
EX28	Excellent	Good	Good	Good
EX29	Excellent	Good	Good	Good
EX30	Excellent	Good	Good	Good
EX31	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good
CE 1	Excellent	Poor	Poor	Good
CE 2	Excellent	Poor	Poor	Good
CE 3	Excellent	Poor	Poor	Good
CE 4	Excellent	Poor	Poor	Good
CE 5	Excellent	Poor	Poor	Good
CE 6	Excellent	Poor	Poor	Good
CE 7	Excellent	Poor	Poor	Good
CE 8	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Poor
CE 9	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Poor
CE 10	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Poor
CE 11	Excellent	Good	Poor	Good
CE 12	Excellent	Good	Good	Poor
CE 13	Fair	Good	Poor	Good
CE 14	Excellent	Poor	Poor	Poor
CE 15	Excellent	Poor	Poor	Poor
CE 16	Excellent	Poor	Poor	Poor
CE 17	Excellent	Poor	Poor	Poor
CE 18	Excellent	Poor	Poor	Poor

[0262] Table 3 revealed that lithographic printing plates in Examples 1 to 31 obtained by using the lithographic printing plate supports each having an anodized aluminum film in which micropores having specified average diameter and depth were formed, had a long press life, excellent deinking ability when left to stand, excellent on-press developability and excellent scratch resistance. In the micropores obtained in Examples 1 to 31, the large-diameter portions were in a substantially hemispherical shape and the small-diameter portions were in a substantially straight tubular shape.

[0263] On the other hand, the results obtained in Comparative Examples 1 to 18 which do not satisfy the relation between the average diameter and the depth in the invention were less effective than those in Examples 1 to 31.

Claims

1. A lithographic printing plate support comprising:

an aluminum plate; and

an anodized aluminum film having micropores which extend in a depth direction of the anodized aluminum film from a surface of the anodized film opposite from the aluminum plate,

wherein each of the micropores has a large-diameter portion which extends to a depth A of 5 to 60 nm from the surface of the anodized film and a small-diameter portion which communicates with a bottom of the large-diameter portion and extends to a depth of 900 to 2,000 nm from a communication position, the large-diameter portion has a first average diameter of more than 60 nm but up to 100 nm at the surface of the anodized film, a ratio of the depth A to the first average diameter is from 0.05 to 0.95, and the small-diameter portion has a second average diameter of more than 0 but less than 15 nm at the communication position.

2. The lithographic printing plate support according to claim 1, wherein the first average diameter of the large-diameter portion is more than 60 nm but up to 85 nm.

3. The lithographic printing plate support according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the depth A is from 7 to 50 nm.

4. The lithographic printing plate support according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ratio of the depth A to the first average diameter is at least 0.1 but less than 0.8.

5. A method of manufacturing the lithographic printing plate support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:

a first anodizing treatment step in which the aluminum plate is anodized;

A pore-widening treatment step in which the aluminum plate having the anodized film obtained by the first anodizing treatment step is contacted with an aqueous acid or alkali solution to increase a diameter of the micropores in the anodized film; and

a second anodizing treatment step in which the aluminum plate obtained by the pore-widening treatment step is anodized.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein a ratio between a first thickness of the anodized film obtained by the first anodizing treatment step to a second thickness of the anodized film obtained by the second anodizing treatment step (first film thickness / second film thickness) is from 0.002 to 0.15.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first thickness of the anodized film obtained by the first anodizing treatment step is from 15 to 80 nm.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the second thickness of the anodized film obtained by the second anodizing treatment step is from 900 to 2,000 nm.

9. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the first anodizing treatment step is performed in an electrolytic solution containing phosphoric acid.

10. A presensitized plate comprising:

the lithographic printing plate support according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and

an image recording layer formed thereon.

11. The presensitized plate according to claim 10, wherein the image recording layer is one in which an image is formed by exposure to light and unexposed portions is removable by printing ink and/or fountain solution.

Drawing