Photopolymerizable compositions containing inorganic fillers

Claim 2

A photopolymerizable composition comprising (A) an addition polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, (B) an initiating system activated by actinic radiation, (C) at least one preformed macromolecular polymeric binder and (D) particles of an inorganic material substantially transparent to actinic radiation wherein the particles of inorganic material are associated with at least one of the preformed macromolecular polymeric binders which association is determined by the inability of the inorganic particles to substantially separate from at least one of the binders in solvent for the binder present in the composition.

Claim 3

The composition of claim 2 wherein substantially none of the particles will separate from at least one binder in the solvent.

Claim 4

The composition of claim 1 wherein 95% of the particles are in the range from 0.1 µm to 15 µm.

Claim 5

The composition of claim 3 wherein 95% of the particles are in the range from 0.1 µm to 10 µm.

Claim 6

The composition of claim 3 wherein 97% of the particles are present in said range.

Claim 7

The composition of claim 4 wherein 97% of the particles are present in said range.

Claim 8

The particles of claim 1 wherein the particles are silica or silicate derivative.

Claim 9

A photopolymerizable composition comprising components of: (A) an addition polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, (B) an initiating system activated by actinic radiation, (C) at least one preformed macromolecular polymeric binder and (D) particles of an inorganic material substantially transparent to actinic radiation wherein the particles of inorganic material are associated with at least one of the preformed macromolecular polymeric binders prior to the addition of the othr composition ingredients which association is determined by the inability of the inorganic particles to substantially separate from at least one of the binders in solvent for the binder, in comparison to an identical photopolymerizable composition except its components are premixed simultaneously with its inorganic particles separating from the binder in the solvent.

Claim 10

A photopolymerizable composition comprising components of: (A) an addition polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, (B) an initiating system activated by actinic radiation, (C) at least one preformed macromolecular polymeric binder and (D) particles of an inorganic material substantially transparent to actinic radiation wherein the particles of inorganic material are associated with at least one of the preformed macromolecular polymeric binders prior to the addition of the othr composition ingredients which association is determined by the inability of the inorganic particles to substantially separate from at least one of the binders in solvent for the binder, in comparison to an identical photopolymerizable composition except its components are premixed simultaneously with its inorganic particles separating from the binder in the solvent.

Claim 11

A process of forming a photopolymerizable composition comprising (A) an addition polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, (B) an initiating system activated by actinic radiation, (C) at least one preformed macromolecular polymeric binder and (D) particles of an inorganic material substantially transparent to actinic radiation wherein components (C) and (D) are initially mixed in the substantial absence of components (A) and (B).

Claim 12

A process of forming a photopolymerizable composition comprising (A) an addition polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, (B) an initiating system activated by actinic radiation, (C) at least one preformed macromolecular polymeric binder and (D) particles of an inorganic material substantially transparent to actinic radiation wherein components (C) and (D) are initially mixed in the substantial absence of components (A) and (B).

Claim 13

The process of claim 9 wherein one preformed macromolecular polymeric binder is present.

Claim 14

The process of claim 9 wherein more than one polymeric binder is present and the association of polymeric binder and inorganic particulate materials is in the absence of at least one of the polymeric binders.

Claim 15

A process for forming a solder mask on a substrate comprising (a) laminating to the substrate a layer of a supported photopolymerizable film, (b) imagewise exposing the layer to actinic radiation, (c) removing unexposed areas of the layer, (d) applying molten solder which adheres to the substrate in areas which are not protected by the exposed film wherein the film is formed from a photopolymerizable composition comprising: (A) an addition polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, (B) an initiating system activated by actinic radiation, (C) at least one preformed macromolecular polymeric binder and (D) particles of an inorganic material substantially transparent to actinic radiation wherein the particles of inorganic material are associated with at least one of the preformed macromolecular polymeric binders which association is determined by the inability of the inorganic particles to substantially separate from at least one of the binders in solvent for the binder.

Claim 16

A process for forming a solder mask on a substrate comprising (a) laminating to the substrate a layer of a supported photopolymerizable film, (b) imagewise exposing the layer to actinic radiation, (c) removing unexposed areas of the layer, (d) applying molten solder which adheres to the substrate in areas which are not protected by the exposed film wherein the film is formed from a photopolymerizable composition comprising: (A) an addition polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, (B) an initiating system activated by actinic radiation, (C) at least one preformed macromolecular polymeric binder and (D) particles of an inorganic material substantially transparent to actinic radiation wherein the particles of inorganic material are associated with at least one of the preformed macromolecular polymeric binders which association is determined by the inability of the inorganic particles to substantially separate from at least one of the binders in solvent for the binder.

Claim 17

The process of claim 12 wherein the association is by melt blending.

Claim 18

The process of claim 12 wherein the association is by high shear dispersion.

Claim 19

The process of claim 12 wherein the particles are surface modified prior to association.