Developer composition for irradiated, radiation-sensitive positive-working, negative-working and reversible reprographic layers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a developer composition for radiation-sensitive positive-working and negative-working and reversible reprographic layers which apart from a radiation-sensitive compound or radiation-sensitive combination of compounds contain, as an essential constituent, a binder which is insoluble in water but soluble in aqueous-alkaline solutions, said developer composition being characterized in that it contains, as essential constituents, (a) O- carboxymethyl- or O,O'-biscarboxymethylethylene glycol or an appropriately substituted polyethylene glycol comprising 2 to about 500 ethylene glycol units, (b) at least one compound showing an alkaline reaction in water, selected from the group including alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal silicates, alkali metal phosphates, alkali metal borates, ammonium hydroxides, ammonium silicates, ammonium phosphates and ammonium borates, and (c) water. The developer composition gives a very good yield, makes possible short developing times and does not cause any problems due to flaky deposits of layer constituents or foaming. A process for developing positive-working, negative-working and reversible reprographic layers with the developer composition is also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.