Photopolymerizable elements of low optical density containing thickeners with discrete orderly orientation

Abstract

Abstract This invention relates to a photopolymerizable element for reproducing images. A photopolymerizable composition is coated on a support, dried, and laminated with a cover sheet. The composition contains a particulate micro-crystalline thickener and 10-90 parts of photopolymerizable monomer per 100 parts, by weight, of liquid monomer-thickener composition with an optical density in the actinic region not more than 0.6 and the dry coating thickness is at least 0.05 mil. The support and cover sheet have significantly different degrees of chemical affinity for the unexposed photopolymerizable layer. The cover sheet has the higher chemical affinity, and is placed preferably on the side opposite the exposure side. The element is imagewise exposed through the support resulting in an increase of adhesion of the exposed photopolymerizable layer to support and cover sheet but with the greatest increase in adhesion being to the cover sheet. The support and cover sheet are delaminated, the polymerized material adhering to the cover sheet, the unpolymerized material remaining on the support. The unpolymerized image may then be transferred to a receptor by first laminating it to the receptor and then applying pressure at room temperature. This photographic element and process are usable in color proofing.

Inventors

• 👤 A Kuchta

Bibliographic Details