Gelled photopolymer composition and methods of making them

Abstract

A negative-working, reversibly gelled composition is disclosed, suitable for use as the photocurable component in a blank for preparation of an article in relief, such as a printing plate. Uncured portions of the composition are removed with an aqueous solution following imagewise modulated exposure of such a blank to actinic radiation. The composition comprises a first organic polymer bearing per molecule, at least one ethylenically unsaturated group which is polymerizable by a free radical source; and a second organic polymer bearing per molecule, at least two Z groups, Z being a primary hydroxyl or a mercapto group, with the proviso that when said first organic polymer bears at least two Z groups per molecule, said second organic polymer may be omitted; said Z groups being reacted by contact with a dialdehyde to produce the reversibly gelled composition.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.