Thermally switchable imageable elements containing betaine-containing co-polymers
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsTing Tao, Scott Beckley
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Abstract
Imageable elements useful as lithographic printing plate precursors are disclosed. The element comprises an imageable layer over a support. The imageable layer contains a photothermal conversion material and a polymeric binder that comprises a polymer backbone with sulfobetaine- and/or carboxybetaine-containing side chains. The imageable elements do not require processing in a developer. They can be thermally imaged and immediately treated with fountain solution and ink without a development step.
Claims19
An imageable element comprising an imageable layer over a support, in which the imageable layer consists essentially of a photothermal conversion material and a polymeric binder that comprises a polymer backbone with betaine-containing side chains, in which the betaines are selected from the group consisting of sulfobetaines, carboxybetaines, and mixtures thereof.
A method for forming an image, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) thermally imaging an imageable element and forming an imaged imageable element that comprises imaged and unimaged regions in an imageable layer,
- in which:
- the imageable element comprises the imageable layer over a support;
- the imageable layer comprises a photothermal conversion material and a polymeric binder;
- the binder comprises a polymer backbone with betaine-containing side chains, in which the betaines are selected from the group consisting of sulfobetaines, carboxybetaines, and mixtures thereof;
- and
- b) without a development step, treating the imaged with ink, fountain solution, or a mixture of ink and fountain solution whereby the imaged regions take up ink and the unimaged regions remain essentially free of ink.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.