JP2006137100A - Original plate of lithographic printing plate - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an original plate of a lithographic printing plate which has an excellent on-press developability enabling development with dampening water and/or ink and excels in plate wear resistance and also in deinking ability after leaving to stand. <P>SOLUTION: The original plate of the lithographic printing plate has an organic compound layer, which is treated with an aqueous solution containing an organic acid or alkaline metal ions, and an image recording layer developable with the dampening water and/or the ink as an upper layer of the organic compound layer, on a substrate for the lithographic printing plate obtained by anodizing an aluminum plate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a lithographic printing plate precursor, and more particularly to a lithographic printing plate precursor that can be developed with dampening water and / or ink and has excellent printing durability, on-press development property, and neglectability.

In general, a lithographic printing plate comprises an oleophilic image area that receives ink in the printing process and a hydrophilic non-image area that receives dampening water. Lithographic printing utilizes the property that water and oil-based inks repel each other, so that the oleophilic image area of the lithographic printing plate is the ink receiving area, and the hydrophilic non-image area is dampened with the water receiving area (ink non-receiving area). As described above, a difference in ink adhesion is caused on the surface of a lithographic printing plate, and after ink is applied only to an image portion, the ink is transferred to a printing medium such as paper and printed.
In order to produce this lithographic printing plate, conventionally, a lithographic printing plate precursor (PS plate) in which an oleophilic photosensitive resin layer (image recording layer) is provided on a hydrophilic support has been widely used. Usually, the lithographic printing plate precursor is exposed through an original image such as a lithographic film, and then the image portion of the image recording layer is left, and the other unnecessary image recording layer is removed with an alkaline developer or organic A lithographic printing plate is obtained by dissolving and removing with a solvent and exposing the surface of the hydrophilic support to form a non-image area.

  In the conventional plate making process of a lithographic printing plate precursor, a step of dissolving and removing an unnecessary image recording layer with a developer or the like is necessary after exposure. However, such additional wet processing is made unnecessary or Simplification is cited as one of the issues. In particular, in recent years, disposal of waste liquids discharged with wet processing has become a major concern for the entire industry due to consideration for the global environment, and therefore, the demand for solving the above-mentioned problems has become stronger.

On the other hand, as one simple plate making method, an image recording layer that can remove an unnecessary portion of the image recording layer in a normal printing process is used. A method called on-press development has been proposed in which unnecessary portions are removed to obtain a lithographic printing plate.
As a specific method of on-press development, for example, a method of using a lithographic printing plate precursor having an image recording layer that can be dissolved or dispersed in dampening water, an ink solvent, or an emulsion of dampening water and ink , A method of mechanically removing the image recording layer by contact with rollers or a blanket of a printing press, cohesion of the image recording layer or adhesion between the image recording layer and the support by penetration of dampening water, ink solvent, etc. There is a method in which after the force is weakened, the image recording layer is mechanically removed by contact with rollers or a blanket.
In the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the “development process step” refers to using a device other than a printing press (usually an automatic developing machine) and bringing a liquid (usually an alkaline developer) into contact therewith. Refers to the process of removing the image recording layer of the unexposed portion of the lithographic printing plate precursor and exposing the surface of the hydrophilic support, and “on-press development” refers to a liquid (usually printing ink) using a printing press. And / or a fountain solution) is a method and a process for removing the image recording layer of the unexposed portion of the lithographic printing plate precursor and exposing the hydrophilic support surface.

  In order to obtain the effect of improving printing durability, conventionally, in a lithographic printing plate precursor using a photosensitive polymerizable composition layer, a technique for providing an undercoat layer containing a polymerizable compound at the interface between a photosensitive polymerizable composition layer and a support is, for example, a patent It is known in Document 1 and Patent Document 2. However, these technologies are premised on the removal of the undercoat layer by alkali development, and when the on-press development with oil-based ink and aqueous component is performed on the printing machine without performing alkali development, the undercoat layer remains in the non-image area. As a result, a stain is generated in a portion where the ink is not desired to be carried, and a satisfactory printed matter cannot be obtained.

Patent Document 3 describes a technique for applying silicate glass as an undercoat layer in an image forming method using oil-based ink and an aqueous component on a printing press. Although the hydrophilicity of the surface is improved and the image forming property is improved, the adhesion between the photosensitive layer and the support is greatly reduced, and the printing resistance tends to deteriorate.
Further, Patent Document 4 describes a lithographic printing plate having an intermediate layer which can be removed by dissolving or dispersing in dampening water or ink on a support capable of mechanical interlocking. However, even if a hydrophilic resin layer generally removable by an aqueous component such as fountain solution is provided as the intermediate layer, the improvement in image forming property can be obtained as described above, but the adhesion between the photosensitive layer and the support can be improved. Degradation of printing durability is shown because it is greatly reduced. Further, the exemplified resins have a high affinity with the hydrophilic support and remain during printing, causing undesired non-image areas to be smudged, or printing without applying excessive dampening water during printing. In order to check the quality of printed matter, it is difficult to maintain, and when the printer is stopped and then restarted, the ink density may not be stable or the ink in the non-image area cannot be removed. It was found to have serious defects.
Japanese Patent No. 3475377 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-260536 JP 2004-9482 A US Pat. No. 6,014,929

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a lithographic printing plate precursor that solves the above-described problems in the prior art, has excellent on-press developability, and has excellent printing durability and neglectability.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present inventor provided a specific organic compound layer on a lithographic printing plate support, treated this layer with an aqueous solution containing an organic acid or an alkali metal ion, and a specific image thereon. The present inventors have found that a lithographic printing plate precursor having excellent on-press developability and excellent printing durability and neglectability can be obtained when the recording layers are combined.

That is, the present invention provides the following (1) to (5).
(1) a lithographic printing plate support obtained by anodizing an aluminum plate;
An organic compound layer on the support;
Treating the organic compound layer with an aqueous solution containing an organic acid or alkali metal ion;
A lithographic printing plate precursor having an image recording layer developable with a fountain solution and / or ink thereon.
(2) The lithographic printing plate precursor as described in (1), wherein the amount of the organic compound after being applied on the anodized surface is 50% or more in terms of surface carbon atom concentration (atm%).

(3) The lithographic printing plate precursor as described in (1) or (2), wherein the image recording layer can be recorded in an image-like manner with a laser beam that emits light having a wavelength in the range of 250 nm to 420 nm.
(4) The lithographic printing plate precursor as described in (1) or (2), wherein the image recording layer can be image-wise recorded by infrared laser irradiation.
(5) The lithographic printing plate precursor as described in any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the image recording layer has a fine particle polymer and / or microcapsule.

  According to the present invention, a lithographic printing plate precursor having excellent on-press developability that can be developed with fountain solution and / or ink, excellent printing durability, and excellent neglectability is obtained. In addition, there is an effect that the stain resistance due to the residual color after development and the residual film is improved, and the chargeability is further improved.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
[Lithographic printing plate precursor of the present invention]

The planographic printing plate precursor of the present invention has an undercoat layer composed of the following organic compound on a support having an anodized film, and this undercoat organic compound layer is treated with an aqueous solution containing an organic acid or an alkali metal, A specific image recording layer is provided thereon.
<Undercoat organic compound layer>
The undercoat organic compound layer used in the lithographic printing plate precursor according to the present invention is formed by coating an organic compound, and the surface carbon atom concentration obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is preferably 50% or more and 80% or less, More preferably, it is 50% or more and 65% or less. The surface carbon atom concentration of this layer, which is an undercoat layer of the image recording layer and an intermediate layer between the image recording layer and the support, is used as an index of the coverage of the support surface. That is, the higher the surface carbon concentration of the intermediate layer, the higher the coverage of the support on the image recording layer.
In the present invention, the “surface carbon atom concentration determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy” refers to this intermediate value by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) (also called ESCA: Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis). This is the ratio of the number of carbon atoms to the total number of these atoms when the concentration of carbon, aluminum, silicon and oxygen atoms present on the surface of the layer is measured. ESCA conditions are not particularly limited, but an example is shown below.
X-ray photoelectron spectrometer: ESCA PHI Quantum 2000 manufactured by ULVAC-PHI, Inc .: X-ray source: Al-Kα (HP-mode, 200 μm, 100 W, 20 kV) Pass energy: 58, 70 eV: Analysis area: 200 μm × 1400 μm: Measurement Spectrum: C1s, O1s, Al2p and Si2p: Neutralization conditions: Ar (10 eV) and Neut (20 μm)
The method of setting the surface carbon atom concentration of the intermediate layer in the above range is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method using a specific polymer compound described later.

  The present invention is characterized by being excellent in contradicting properties of on-press developability and printing durability in combination with a specific image recording layer described later by an undercoat organic compound layer and subsequent treatment.

  A preferable organic compound used in the present invention is an organic compound having an adsorptive group on the support surface. The presence or absence of adsorptivity on the surface of the hydrophilic support can be determined by the following method, for example.

A coating solution in which the test compound is dissolved in a readily soluble solvent is prepared, and the coating solution is coated and dried on the support so that the coating amount after drying is 30 mg / m ² . The substrate coated with the test compound is sufficiently washed with a readily soluble solvent, and then the residual amount of the test compound that has not been removed by washing is measured to calculate the amount of adsorption of the substrate. Here, the measurement of the remaining amount may be performed by directly quantifying the amount of the remaining compound or by quantifying the amount of the test compound dissolved in the cleaning liquid. As a compound quantification method, for example, fluorescent X-ray measurement, reflection spectral absorbance measurement, and liquid chromatography measurement can be performed. The compound having support adsorptivity is a compound that remains at 1 mg / m ² or more even after the above-described washing treatment.

  The adsorptive group on the surface of the hydrophilic support is a substance (eg, metal, metal oxide) or a functional group (eg, hydroxyl group) existing on the surface of the hydrophilic support and a chemical bond (eg, ionic bond, hydrogen bond). , Coordination bond, bond by intermolecular force). Preferable adsorptive groups include amino groups and other bases, ammonium groups and pyridinium groups and other onium bases, phosphoric acid groups, phosphonic acid groups, boric acid groups, carboxylic acid groups, phenolic hydroxyl groups and other acid groups, acetylacetone groups, and the like. Are α, β-diketone group derivatives, carbamoyl groups, carboester groups, or phosphate ester groups, with acid groups or cationic groups being particularly preferred.

Examples of acid groups include phenolic hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, —SO ₃ H, —OSO ₃ H, —PO ₃ H ₂ , —OPO ₃ H ₂ , —CONHSO ₂ — and —SO ₂ NHSO ₂ —. . Among these, the acid group preferably has an acid dissociation constant (pKa) of 7 or less, and particularly preferably a phosphate group (—OPO ₃ H ₂ , —PO ₃ H ₂ ). These acid groups may be metal salts.

  The cationic group is preferably an onium group. Examples of the onium group include an ammonium group, a phosphonium group, an arsonium group, a stibonium group, an oxonium group, a sulfonium group, a selenonium group, a stannonium group, and an iodonium group. Among these, an ammonium group, a phosphonium group, and a sulfonium group are preferable, an ammonium group and a phosphonium group are more preferable, and an ammonium group is most preferable.

  The above-mentioned adsorptive group can be introduced into an organic compound by polymerizing or copolymerizing a compound (polymerizable monomer) having these adsorptive groups and an ethylenically unsaturated double bond. The polymerizable monomer is not particularly limited as long as it is a compound having the adsorptive group and the ethylenically unsaturated double bond. Preferred examples include compounds represented by the following general formulas (I) to (III). Can be mentioned. Particularly preferred examples include compounds represented by the following (I) and (II).

In the above formulas (I) and (II), R ¹ , R ² and R ³ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are more preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and most preferably a hydrogen atom or methyl. R ² and R ³ are particularly preferably a hydrogen atom. X is an oxygen atom (—O—) or imino (—NH—). X is more preferably an oxygen atom.

L is a single bond or a divalent linking group. As the divalent linking group, a divalent aliphatic group (for example, alkylene group, substituted alkylene group, alkenylene group, substituted alkenylene group, alkynylene group, substituted alkynylene group), divalent aromatic group (for example, arylene group) , A substituted arylene group) or a divalent heterocyclic group, or an oxygen atom (—O—), a sulfur atom (—S—), an imino group (—NH—), a substituted imino group (—NR). -, R represents an aliphatic group, aromatic group or heterocyclic group) or a combination with a carbonyl group (-CO-).
The aliphatic group may have a cyclic structure or a branched structure. 1-20 are preferable, as for the carbon atom number of an aliphatic group, 1-15 are more preferable, and 1-10 are the most preferable. The aliphatic group is preferably a saturated aliphatic group rather than an unsaturated aliphatic group. The aliphatic group may have a substituent. Examples of the substituent include a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an aromatic group, and a heterocyclic group.
6-20 are preferable, as for the carbon atom number of an aromatic group, 6-15 are more preferable, and 6-10 are the most preferable. The aromatic group may have a substituent. Examples of the substituent include a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, and a heterocyclic group.
The heterocyclic group preferably has a 5-membered or 6-membered ring as the heterocycle. The heterocycle may be condensed with another heterocycle, aliphatic ring or aromatic ring. The heterocyclic group may have a substituent. Examples of substituents include halogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, oxo groups (═O), thioxo groups (═S), imino groups (═NH), substituted imino groups (═N—R, R is an aliphatic group, aromatic Group or heterocyclic group), aliphatic group, aromatic group and heterocyclic group.

L in formula (I) is preferably a divalent linking group containing a polyoxyalkylene structure. The polyoxyalkylene structure is more preferably a polyoxyethylene structure. In other words, L preferably contains — (OCH ₂ CH ₂ ) n — (n is an integer of 2 or more).
Z is a functional group that adsorbs to the surface of the hydrophilic support. Y is a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom. Y may be a nitrogen atom, and an alkyl group or the like may be substituted for Y to form a quaternary pyridinium group. In that case, -LZ in the formula (II) is not essential because it exhibits adsorptivity itself.

In the formula (III), R ¹ , R ² and R ³ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, Z or -LZ. Here, L and Z have the same meanings as in formulas (I) and (II).

  Examples of typical compounds represented by formulas (I) and (II) are shown below.

  Specific examples of the adsorptive monomer represented by the formula (III) include unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid and itaconic acid, vinylphosphonic acid and vinylsulfonic acid.

  The organic compound of the present invention preferably further has crosslinkability in order to improve adhesion with the image area. In order to impart crosslinkability to an organic compound, a crosslinkable functional group such as an ethylenically unsaturated bond is introduced into the side chain of the compound, or a substituent having a counter charge with a polar substituent of the compound and an ethylenically unsaturated group. It can be introduced by forming a salt structure with a compound having a saturated bond.

  Examples of polymers having an ethylenically unsaturated bond in the side chain of the molecule are polymers of esters or amides of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, where R of the ester or amide residue (—COOR or —CONHR) is R Mention may be made of polymers having an ethylenically unsaturated bond.

Examples of the _{R, - (CH 2) n} CR 1 = CR 2 R 3, - (CH 2 O) n CH 2 CR 1 = CR 2 R 3, - (CH 2 CH 2 O) n CH 2 CR ^{1 = CR 2 R 3, -} (CH 2) n NH-CO-O-CH 2 CR 1 = CR 2 R 3, - (CH 2) n -O-CO-CR 1 = CR 2 R 3 and - ( CH ₂ CH ₂ O) in ₂ -X (wherein, R ¹ to R ³ each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group, an alkoxy group or aryloxy group, R ¹ And R ² or R ³ may be bonded to each other to form a ring, n represents an integer of 1 to 10. X represents a dicyclopentadienyl residue. .

Specific examples of R in the ester _{residue, -CH 2 CH = CH 2,} ( described in JP Kokoku _{7-21633.) - CH 2 CH 2} O-CH 2 CH = CH 2, -CH _{2 C (CH 3) = CH} 2, -CH 2 CH = CH-C 6 H 5, -CH 2 CH 2 OCOCH = CH-C 6 H 5, -CH 2 CH 2 -NHCOO-CH 2 CH = CH 2 And —CH ₂ CH ₂ O—X (wherein X represents a dicyclopentadienyl residue).

Specific examples of R of the amide residue include —CH ₂ CH═CH ₂ , —CH ₂ CH ₂ —Y (wherein Y represents a cyclohexene residue), —CH ₂ CH ₂ —OCO—CH═. CH ₂ may be mentioned.

  The content of the crosslinkable group in the organic compound (content of the unsaturated double bond capable of radical polymerization by iodine titration) is preferably 0.1 to 10.0 mmol, more preferably 1.0, per 1 g of the organic compound. -7.0 mmol, most preferably 2.0-5.5 mmol. Within this range, both good sensitivity and stain resistance can be achieved, and good storage stability can be obtained.

  The organic compound of the present invention can be copolymerized with a monomer having a hydrophilic group. Examples of the hydrophilic group include a hydroxyl group, a polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group, and the like.

  Examples of monomers having hydrophilic groups include hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, polyoxyethylene monoacrylate, polyoxyethylene monomethacrylate, polyoxypropylene monoacrylate, polyoxypropylene monomethacrylate , Etc.

As the copolymerizable substituent of the organic compound that can be used in the present invention, conventionally known ones can be used without limitation. Examples of hydrophilic binder polymers include hydroxy groups, carboxyl groups, carboxylate groups, and hydroxyethyl groups. , Having a hydrophilic group such as polyoxyethyl group, hydroxypropyl group, polyoxypropyl group, amino group, aminoethyl group, aminopropyl group, ammonium group, amide group, carboxymethyl group, sulfonic acid group, phosphoric acid group A thing is mentioned suitably.
Specific examples include gum arabic, casein, gelatin, starch derivatives, carboxymethyl cellulose and its sodium salt, cellulose acetate, sodium alginate, and the like.

  Specific examples of the organic compound used in the present invention include the following compounds, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  The organic compound has a mass average molecular weight of 10,000 or more, preferably 10,000 to 300,000, and more preferably a number average molecular weight of 2000 to 250,000. The polydispersity (mass average molecular weight / number average molecular weight) is preferably 1.1 to 10.

  The organic compound can be a polymer such as a random polymer, block polymer, or graft polymer, but is preferably a random polymer.

The organic compound layer is formed by applying and drying water or an organic support such as methanol, ethanol, methyl ethyl ketone or the like, or a solution obtained by dissolving the above organic compound on a surface-treated aluminum support, or water or methanol. A method of immersing the surface-treated aluminum support in a solution obtained by dissolving the above compound in an organic solvent such as ethanol or methyl ethyl ketone or a mixed solvent thereof to adsorb the above compound, and then washing and drying with water or the like Can be provided. In the former method, a solution of the organic compound having a concentration of 0.005 to 10% by mass can be applied by various methods. For example, any method such as bar coater coating, spin coating, spray coating, or curtain coating may be used. In the latter method, the concentration of the solution is 0.01 to 20% by mass, preferably 0.05 to 5% by mass, the immersion temperature is 20 to 90 ° C., preferably 25 to 50 ° C., and the immersion time. Is 0.1 second to 20 minutes, preferably 2 seconds to 1 minute. An organic compound may be used independently or may be used in mixture of 2 or more types.
Deposition amount of the undercoat organic compound, preferably 0.1-100 mg / m ^2, desirably in the range of 1 to 50 mg / m ^2, more desirably at 1 to 30 mg / m ^2.

<Post-treatment of undercoat organic compound: treatment with aqueous solution containing organic acid, salt thereof or alkali metal ion>
The following aqueous solution treatment is a method in which the organic compound layer of the present invention is applied on a support of an aluminum plate having an anodized film on the surface, dried, and then immersed in the aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is applied by bar coating or brush coating. And a method of spraying an aqueous solution with a spray or the like. A method of immersing is preferred because it does not damage the applied undercoat organic compound layer. The temperature of the aqueous solution can be 20 to 40 ° C., and the treatment time can be 1 second to 1 minute, preferably 5 seconds to 20 seconds.
Organic acids include organic sulfonic acids such as toluenesulfonic acid and benzenesulfonic acid and salts thereof, organic phosphonic acids such as phenylphosphonic acid and polyvinylphosphonic acid and salts thereof, hexametaphosphoric acid and salts thereof, and ethylenically unsaturated double bonds And organic carboxylic acids such as tartaric acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, gluconic acid, and amino acids, and salts thereof. Preferably, citric acid, polyvinyl phosphonic acid, a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond and a phosphoric acid group, hexametaphosphate, and the like can be mentioned.
Examples of the alkali metal ion include Li ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ^{+ and the} like. Li ⁺ and Na ⁺ are preferred. These alkali metal hydroxides, phosphates, carbonates, nitrates, borates and the like can be mentioned.
The concentration of the aqueous solution used is preferably 0.01 to 100 g / L, more preferably 0.1 to 10 g / L.

The present inventor applied the organic compound on a support having an anodized film and dried it, and then dyed the surface after applying the primer organic compound using a dye that does not adsorb, and the entire surface was determined from the dyed results. It was found that it was not completely coated. Further, when the amount of C on the outermost surface (atm%) was measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, a numerical value of 50 to 70% was obtained, and it was confirmed that the film was not completely coated as described above.
Based on this knowledge, post-treatment is performed to cover the exposed portion of the anodic oxide film that has not been coated with the undercoat organic compound with a specific treatment liquid, and the specific image recording layer used in the present invention and the anodic oxide film on the substrate When direct contact was prevented, it was found that a lithographic printing plate precursor having excellent printing durability, excellent on-press development property and excellent neglectability was obtained, and the present invention was achieved. In addition, the residual color after development and the stain due to the residual film are reduced, and the payability is further improved.
As a method of covering the entire surface with the undercoat organic compound layer, a method of thickly applying the undercoat organic compound layer can be considered. However, when the organic compound layer becomes thick, there is a problem that blanket stains and ground stains occur.
Another possible method is to hydrophilize the anodic oxide film, which is the lower layer of the undercoat organic compound layer, by treatment or coating, but there is a problem that the adhesion with a specific image recording layer is deteriorated and the printing durability is deteriorated. .

  In the present invention, an undercoat organic compound layer and a specific image recording layer are provided on the anodized film. However, when the undercoat organic compound layer cannot cover the entire surface and the image recording layer is in contact with the anodized film, development is performed. In addition, a slight amount of organic matter in the image recording layer may remain on the anodic oxide film in the non-image area, and the printing ink adheres and stains the non-image area. In addition, when printing is interrupted, there is a problem that the ink is more difficult to be removed by leaving the plate on the printing press. There is also a problem that dirt in the atmosphere easily adheres to it and the dirt resistance deteriorates, and these are observed as untreated dirt. At the printing site, the stain after the printing is interrupted is observed as the number of damaged paper (the number of printed sheets until the stain is eliminated) after the resumption of printing, which is called neglectability. In the present invention, after-treatment of the undercoat organic compound layer can significantly improve the anti-stain resistance.

  Hereinafter, the support and the image recording layer to which the above invention is applied will be described.

First, a method for producing a roughened and anodized aluminum support to which the present invention is applied will be described.
[Support for lithographic printing plate]
<Aluminum plate (rolled aluminum)>
In order to obtain the lithographic printing plate support of the present invention, a known aluminum plate can be used. The aluminum plate used in the present invention is a metal mainly composed of dimensionally stable aluminum, and is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In addition to a pure aluminum plate, an alloy plate containing aluminum as a main component and a trace amount of foreign elements can also be used.

  In the present specification, various substrates made of the above-described aluminum or aluminum alloy are generically used as an aluminum plate. The foreign elements that may be contained in the aluminum alloy include silicon, iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, chromium, zinc, bismuth, nickel, titanium, and the content of the foreign elements in the alloy is 10% by mass or less. It is.

  Thus, the composition of the aluminum plate used in the present invention is not specified. For example, a conventionally known material described in the fourth edition of the Aluminum Handbook (1990, published by the Light Metal Association), for example, JIS Al-Mn aluminum plates such as A1050, JIS A1100, JIS A1070, JIS A3004 containing Mn, and internationally registered alloy 3103A can be appropriately used. For the purpose of increasing the tensile strength, an Al—Mg alloy or an Al—Mn—Mg alloy (JIS A3005) in which 0.1% by mass or more of magnesium is added to these aluminum alloys can also be used. Furthermore, an Al—Zr alloy or an Al—Si alloy containing Zr or Si can also be used. Furthermore, an Al—Mg—Si based alloy can also be used.

  Regarding the JIS 1050 material, the techniques proposed by the applicant of the present application are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 59-153861, 61-51395, 62-146694, 60-215725, and 60-215725. JP 60-215726, JP 60-215727, JP 60-216728, JP 61-272367, JP 58-11759, JP 58-42493, JP 58- 221254, JP-A-62-148295, JP-A-4-254545, JP-A-4-165541, JP-B-3-68939, JP-A-3-234594, JP-B-1-47545, and JP-A-62. It is described in each publication of -140894. In addition, techniques described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-35910 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-28874 are also known.

  Regarding the JIS1070 material, the techniques proposed by the applicant of the present application are disclosed in JP-A-7-81264, JP-A-7-305133, JP-A-8-49034, JP-A-8-73974, JP-A-8-108659 and It is described in JP-A-8-92679.

  Regarding Al-Mg alloys, the techniques proposed by the applicant of the present application are disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. Sho 62-5080, Sho 63-60823, Shoko 3-61753, JP Sho 60-20396, JP-A-60-203497, JP-B-3-11635, JP-A-61-274993, JP-A-62-23794, JP-A-63-47347, JP-A-63-47348, JP-A-63-47349. JP-A 64-1293, JP-A 63-135294, JP-A 63-87288, JP-B 4-73392, JP-B 7-100844, JP-A 62-149856, JP-B JP-A-4-73394, JP-A-62-181191, JP-B-5-76530, JP-A-63-30294, and JP-B-6-37116. Also described in JP-A-2-215599, JP-A-61-201747, and the like.

  With regard to Al—Mn alloys, techniques proposed by the applicant of the present application are described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 60-230951, 1-306288, and 2-293189. In addition, JP-B-54-42284, JP-B-4-19290, JP-B-4-19291, JP-B-4-19292, JP-A-61-35995, JP-A-64-51992, JP-A-4-19592, No. 226394, US Pat. No. 5,009,722, US Pat. No. 5,028,276 and the like.

  With regard to the Al—Mn—Mg alloy, techniques proposed by the applicant of the present application are described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 62-86143 and 3-2222796. JP-B 63-60824, JP-A 60-63346, JP-A 60-63347, JP-A-1-293350, European Patent No. 223,737, US Pat. No. 4,818, No. 300, British Patent No. 1,222,777, etc.

  Regarding the Al—Zr alloy, the technique proposed by the applicant of the present application is described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-15978 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-51395. Also described in JP-A-63-143234 and JP-A-63-143235.

  The Al—Mg—Si alloy is described in British Patent 1,421,710.

  In order to use an aluminum alloy as a plate material, for example, the following method can be employed. First, a molten aluminum alloy adjusted to a predetermined alloy component content is subjected to a cleaning process and cast according to a conventional method. In the cleaning process, in order to remove unnecessary gas such as hydrogen in the molten metal, flux treatment, degassing process using argon gas, chlorine gas, etc., so-called rigid media filter such as ceramic tube filter, ceramic foam filter, A filtering process using a filter that uses alumina flakes, alumina balls or the like as a filter medium, a glass cloth filter, or a combination of a degassing process and a filtering process is performed.

  These cleaning treatments are preferably performed in order to prevent defects caused by foreign matters such as non-metallic inclusions and oxides in the molten metal and defects caused by gas dissolved in the molten metal. Regarding filtering of the molten metal, JP-A-6-57432, JP-A-3-162530, JP-A-5-140659, JP-A-4-231425, JP-A-4-276031, JP-A-5-311261, JP-A-5-311261 6-136466 and the like. Further, the degassing of the molten metal is described in JP-A-5-51659, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-49148, and the like. The applicant of the present application has also proposed a technique relating to degassing of molten metal in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-40017.

Next, casting is performed using the molten metal that has been subjected to the cleaning treatment as described above. Regarding the casting method, there are a method using a solid mold typified by a DC casting method and a method using a driving mold typified by a continuous casting method.
In DC casting, solidification occurs at a cooling rate of 0.5 to 30 ° C./second. When the temperature is less than 1 ° C., many coarse intermetallic compounds may be formed. When DC casting is performed, an ingot having a thickness of 300 to 800 mm can be manufactured. The ingot is chamfered as necessary according to a conventional method, and usually 1 to 30 mm, preferably 1 to 10 mm, of the surface layer is cut. Before and after that, soaking treatment is performed as necessary. When performing the soaking process, heat treatment is performed at 450 to 620 ° C. for 1 to 48 hours so that the intermetallic compound does not become coarse. If the heat treatment is shorter than 1 hour, the effect of soaking may be insufficient.

  Then, hot rolling and cold rolling are performed to obtain a rolled aluminum plate. An appropriate starting temperature for hot rolling is 350 to 500 ° C. An intermediate annealing treatment may be performed before or after hot rolling or in the middle thereof. The conditions for the intermediate annealing treatment are heating at 280 to 600 ° C. for 2 to 20 hours using a batch annealing furnace, preferably 350 to 500 ° C. for 2 to 10 hours, or using a continuous annealing furnace at 400 to 600 ° C. Heating is performed for 6 minutes or less, preferably 450 to 550 ° C. for 2 minutes or less. The crystal structure can be made finer by heating at a heating rate of 10 to 200 ° C./second using a continuous annealing furnace.

  The flatness of the aluminum plate finished to a predetermined thickness, for example, 0.1 to 0.5 mm by the above steps may be further improved by a correction device such as a roller leveler or a tension leveler. The flatness may be improved after the aluminum plate is cut into a sheet shape, but in order to improve productivity, it is preferably performed in a continuous coil state. Further, a slitter line may be used for processing to a predetermined plate width. Moreover, in order to prevent generation | occurrence | production of the damage | wound by friction between aluminum plates, you may provide a thin oil film on the surface of an aluminum plate. As the oil film, a volatile or non-volatile film is appropriately used as necessary.

  On the other hand, as the continuous casting method, a twin roll method (hunter method), a method using a cooling roll typified by the 3C method, a double belt method (Hazley method), a cooling belt or a cooling block typified by Al-Swiss Caster II type The method using is industrially performed. When the continuous casting method is used, it solidifies at a cooling rate of 100 to 1000 ° C./second. Since the continuous casting method generally has a higher cooling rate than the DC casting method, it has a feature that the solid solubility of the alloy component in the aluminum matrix can be increased. Regarding the continuous casting method, the techniques proposed by the applicant of the present application are disclosed in JP-A-3-79798, JP-A-5-201166, JP-A-5-156414, JP-A-6-262203, and JP-A-6-122949. JP-A-6-210406 and JP-A-6-26308.

  When continuous casting is performed, for example, if a method using a cooling roll such as a Hunter method is used, a cast plate having a thickness of 1 to 10 mm can be directly cast continuously, and the hot rolling step is omitted. The advantage of being able to In addition, when a method using a cooling belt such as the Husley method is used, a cast plate having a thickness of 10 to 50 mm can be cast. Generally, a hot rolling roll is arranged immediately after casting and continuously rolled. Thus, a continuous cast and rolled plate having a thickness of 1 to 10 mm is obtained.

  These continuous cast and rolled plates are subjected to processes such as cold rolling, intermediate annealing, improvement of flatness, slits, and the like in the same manner as described for DC casting. Finished to a thickness of 5 mm. Regarding the intermediate annealing condition and the cold rolling condition when using the continuous casting method, the techniques proposed by the applicant of the present application are disclosed in JP-A-6-220593, JP-A-6-210308, JP-A-7-54111, It is described in JP-A-8-92709.

Various characteristics described below are desired for the aluminum plate thus manufactured.
As for the strength of the aluminum plate, it is preferable that the 0.2% proof stress is 140 MPa or more in order to obtain the stiffness required for a lithographic printing plate support. Further, in order to obtain a certain level of waist strength even when performing a burning treatment, the 0.2% yield strength after heat treatment at 270 ° C. for 3 to 10 minutes is preferably 80 MPa or more, and 100 MPa or more. It is more preferable that In particular, when the waist strength is required for an aluminum plate, an aluminum material added with Mg or Mn can be used, but if the waist is strengthened, the ease of fitting to the plate cylinder of a printing press becomes inferior. Depending on the application, the material and the amount of trace components added are appropriately selected. With regard to these, techniques proposed by the applicant of the present application are described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 7-126820 and 62-140894.

  The crystal structure of the aluminum plate may cause poor surface quality when the surface of the aluminum plate is subjected to chemical or electrochemical surface roughening. It is preferably not too coarse. The crystal structure on the surface of the aluminum plate preferably has a width of 200 μm or less, more preferably 100 μm or less, still more preferably 50 μm or less, and the length of the crystal structure is 5000 μm or less. Is preferably 1000 μm or less, and more preferably 500 μm or less. With regard to these, techniques proposed by the applicant of the present application are described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 6-218495, 7-39906, and 7-124609.

  The alloy component distribution of the aluminum plate, when chemical surface roughening treatment or electrochemical surface roughening treatment is performed, poor surface quality occurs due to non-uniform distribution of the alloy component on the surface of the aluminum plate. Therefore, it is preferable that the surface is not very uneven. With regard to these, the techniques proposed by the applicant of the present application are described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 6-48058, 5-301478, and 7-132689.

  In the intermetallic compound of the aluminum plate, the size and density of the intermetallic compound may affect the chemical roughening treatment or the electrochemical roughening treatment. With regard to these, techniques proposed by the applicant of the present application are described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 7-138687 and 4-254545.

  In the present invention, an aluminum plate as shown above can be used with unevenness by lamination rolling, transfer, or the like in the final rolling step.

The aluminum plate used in the present invention is a continuous belt-like sheet material or plate material. That is, it may be an aluminum web, or a sheet-like sheet cut to a size corresponding to a planographic printing plate precursor shipped as a product.
Since scratches on the surface of the aluminum plate may become defects when processed into a lithographic printing plate support, it is possible to generate scratches at the stage prior to the surface treatment process for making a lithographic printing plate support It is necessary to suppress as much as possible. For that purpose, it is preferable that the package has a stable form and is hardly damaged during transportation.
In the case of an aluminum web, for example, the packaging of aluminum is, for example, laying a hardboard and felt on an iron pallet, applying cardboard donut plates to both ends of the product, wrapping the whole with a polytube, and inserting a wooden donut into the inner diameter of the coil Then, a felt is applied to the outer periphery of the coil, the band iron is used to squeeze it, and the display is performed on the outer periphery. Moreover, a polyethylene film can be used as the packaging material, and needle felt and hard board can be used as the cushioning material. There are various other forms, but the present invention is not limited to this method as long as it is stable and can be transported without being damaged.

  The thickness of the aluminum plate used in the present invention is about 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm, preferably 0.15 mm to 0.4 mm, and more preferably 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm. This thickness can be appropriately changed according to the size of the printing press, the size of the printing plate, the user's desires, and the like.

<Surface treatment process of support>
Hereinafter, each step of the surface treatment will be described in detail.

<Mechanical roughening>
The mechanical roughening treatment is effective as a roughening treatment means because it can form an uneven surface with an average wavelength of 5 to 100 μm at a lower cost than the electrochemical roughening treatment. is there.
Examples of the mechanical surface roughening treatment include, for example, a wire brush grain method in which the aluminum surface is scratched with a metal wire, a ball grain method in which the aluminum surface is grained with a polishing ball and an abrasive, JP-A-6-135175, and Japanese Patent Publication A brush grain method in which the surface is grained with a nylon brush and an abrasive described in Japanese Patent No. 50-40047 can be used.
A transfer method in which the uneven surface is pressed against the aluminum plate can also be used. That is, in addition to the methods described in JP-A-55-74898, JP-A-60-36195, and JP-A-60-20396, transfer is performed several times. The method described in Japanese Patent Application No. -55871 and Japanese Patent Application No. 4-204235 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-024168) characterized in that the surface is elastic is also applicable.

In addition, by using electric discharge machining, shot blasting, laser, plasma etching, etc., a method of repeatedly transferring using a transfer roll etched with fine irregularities, and an uneven surface coated with fine particles on an aluminum plate It is also possible to use a method in which an uneven pattern corresponding to the average diameter of the fine particles is repeatedly transferred to the aluminum plate a plurality of times by contacting the surface and applying a pressure a plurality of times from above. As a method for imparting fine irregularities to the transfer roll, known methods described in JP-A-3-8635, JP-A-3-66404, JP-A-63-65017, etc. may be used. it can. Further, a fine groove may be cut in two directions using a die, a cutting tool, a laser, or the like on the roll surface, and a square unevenness may be formed on the surface. The roll surface may be subjected to a known etching process or the like so that the formed square irregularities are rounded.
Further, in order to increase the surface hardness, quenching, hard chrome plating, or the like may be performed.
In addition, as the mechanical surface roughening treatment, methods described in JP-A Nos. 61-162351 and 63-104889 can be used.
In the present invention, the above-described methods can be used in combination in consideration of productivity and the like. These mechanical surface roughening treatments are preferably performed before the electrochemical surface roughening treatment.

Hereinafter, the brush grain method used suitably as a mechanical roughening process is demonstrated.
The brush grain method generally uses a roller-shaped brush in which a large number of brush hairs such as synthetic resin hair made of synthetic resin such as nylon (trade name), propylene, and vinyl chloride resin are implanted on the surface of a cylindrical body. This is carried out by rubbing one or both of the surfaces of the aluminum plate while spraying a slurry liquid containing an abrasive on a rotating roller brush. Instead of the roller brush and the slurry liquid, a polishing roller which is a roller having a polishing layer on the surface can be used.
When a roller brush is used, the flexural modulus is preferably 10,000 to 40,000 kg / cm ² , more preferably 15,000 to 35,000 kg / cm ² , and the bristle strength is preferably Brush hair that is 500 g or less, more preferably 400 g or less is used. The diameter of the brush bristles is generally 0.2 to 0.9 mm. The length of the brush bristles can be appropriately determined according to the outer diameter of the roller brush and the diameter of the body, but is generally 10 to 100 mm.

A well-known thing can be used for an abrasive | polishing agent. For example, abrasives such as pumicestone, silica sand, aluminum hydroxide, alumina powder, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, volcanic ash, carborundum, and gold sand; a mixture thereof can be used. Of these, pumiston and silica sand are preferable. In particular, silica sand is preferable in terms of excellent surface roughening efficiency because it is harder and less likely to break than Pamiston.
The average particle diameter of the abrasive is preferably 3 to 50 μm, and more preferably 6 to 45 μm in terms of excellent surface roughening efficiency and a narrow graining pitch.
For example, the abrasive is suspended in water and used as a slurry. In addition to the abrasive, the slurry liquid may contain a thickener, a dispersant (for example, a surfactant), a preservative, and the like. The specific gravity of the slurry liquid is preferably 0.5-2.

  As an apparatus suitable for the mechanical surface roughening treatment, for example, an apparatus described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 50-40047 can be given.

<Electrochemical roughening treatment>
In the electrochemical surface roughening treatment, an electrolytic solution used for the electrochemical surface roughening treatment using a normal alternating current can be used. Among them, the concavo-convex structure characteristic of the present invention can be formed on the surface by using an electrolytic solution mainly composed of hydrochloric acid or nitric acid.
As the electrolytic surface roughening treatment in the present invention, it is preferable to perform the first and second electrolytic treatments with an alternating waveform current in an acidic solution before and after the cathodic electrolytic treatment. By cathodic electrolysis, hydrogen gas is generated on the surface of the aluminum plate and smut is generated to make the surface state uniform, and it is possible to obtain a uniform electrolytic surface during the subsequent electrolysis with an alternating waveform current. .
This electrolytic surface roughening treatment can be performed according to, for example, an electrochemical grain method (electrolytic grain method) described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 48-28123 and British Patent No. 896,563. This electrolytic grain method uses a sinusoidal alternating current, but it may be performed using a special waveform as described in JP-A-52-58602. Further, the waveform described in JP-A-3-79799 can also be used. JP-A-55-158298, JP-A-56-28898, JP-A-52-58602, JP-A-52-152302, JP-A-54-85802, JP-A-60-190392, JP-A-58-120531, JP-A-63-176187, JP-A-1-5889, JP-A-1-280590, JP-A-1-118489, JP-A-1-148592, and JP-A-1-17896. JP-A-1-188315, JP-A-1-1549797, JP-A-2-235794, JP-A-3-260100, JP-A-3-253600, JP-A-4-72079, JP-A-4-72098, The methods described in JP-A-3-267400 and JP-A-1-141094 can also be applied. In addition to the above, it is also possible to perform electrolysis using an alternating current having a special frequency that has been proposed as a method of manufacturing an electrolytic capacitor. For example, it is described in US Pat. Nos. 4,276,129 and 4,676,879.

Various electrolyzers and power sources have been proposed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,637, JP-A-56-123400, JP-A-57-59770, JP-A-53-12738, JP-A-53. -32821, JP-A 53-32822, JP-A 53-32823, JP-A 55-122896, JP-A 55-13284, JP-A 62-127500, JP-A-1-52100 JP-A-1-52098, JP-A-60-67700, JP-A-1-230800, JP-A-3-257199 and the like can be used.
Also, JP-A-52-58602, JP-A-52-152302, JP-A-53-12738, JP-A-53-12739, JP-A-53-32821, JP-A-53-32822, JP 53-32833, JP 53-32824, JP 53-32825, JP 54-85802, JP 55-122896, JP 55-13284, JP 48-28123, JP-B-51-7081, JP-A-52-13338, JP-A-52-133840, JP-A-52-133844, JP-A-52-133845, JP-A-53- Nos. 149135 and 54-146234 can be used.

  As an acidic solution which is an electrolytic solution, in addition to nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,671,859, 4,661,219, 4,618,405, 4,600, 482, 4,566,960, 4,566,958, 4,566,959, 4,416,972, 4,374,710, The electrolyte solution described in each specification of 4,336,113 and 4,184,932 can also be used.

  The concentration of the acidic solution is preferably 0.5 to 2.5% by mass, but it is particularly preferably 0.7 to 2.0% by mass in consideration of use in the smut removal treatment. Moreover, it is preferable that liquid temperature is 20-80 degreeC, and it is more preferable that it is 30-60 degreeC.

  An aqueous solution mainly composed of hydrochloric acid or nitric acid is an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid or nitric acid having a concentration of 1 to 100 g / L, such as nitric acid compounds having nitrate ions such as aluminum nitrate, sodium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, or aluminum chloride, sodium chloride, ammonium chloride, etc. At least one of the hydrochloric acid compounds having hydrochloric acid ions can be used by adding in a range from 1 g / L to saturation. Moreover, the metal contained in aluminum alloys, such as iron, copper, manganese, nickel, titanium, magnesium, a silica, may melt | dissolve in the aqueous solution which has hydrochloric acid or nitric acid as a main component. Preferably, a solution obtained by adding aluminum chloride, aluminum nitrate or the like to an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid or nitric acid having a concentration of 0.5 to 2% by mass so that aluminum ions are 3 to 50 g / L is preferably used.

Further, by adding and using a compound capable of forming a complex with Cu, uniform graining is possible even for an aluminum plate containing a large amount of Cu. Examples of the compound capable of forming a complex with Cu include ammonia; hydrogen atom of ammonia such as methylamine, ethylamine, dimethylamine, diethylamine, trimethylamine, cyclohexylamine, triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), etc. And amines obtained by substituting with a hydrocarbon group (aliphatic, aromatic, etc.); metal carbonates such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate and the like. In addition, ammonium salts such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, and ammonium carbonate are also included.
The temperature is preferably 10-60 ° C, more preferably 20-50 ° C.

  The AC power supply wave used for the electrochemical surface roughening treatment is not particularly limited, and a sine wave, a rectangular wave, a trapezoidal wave, a triangular wave or the like is used, but a rectangular wave or a trapezoidal wave is preferable, and a trapezoidal wave is particularly preferable. A trapezoidal wave means what was shown in FIG. In this trapezoidal wave, the time (TP) until the current reaches a peak from zero is preferably 1 to 3 msec. If it is less than 1 msec, processing irregularities such as chatter marks that occur perpendicular to the traveling direction of the aluminum plate are likely to occur. When TP exceeds 3 msec, especially when a nitric acid electrolyte is used, it is easily affected by trace components in the electrolyte typified by ammonium ions and the like that spontaneously increase by electrolytic treatment, and uniform graining is performed. It becomes hard to be broken. As a result, the stain resistance tends to decrease when a lithographic printing plate is obtained.

A duty ratio of trapezoidal wave alternating current of 1: 2 to 2: 1 can be used. However, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-195300, in an indirect power feeding method in which no conductor roll is used for aluminum, a duty is used. A ratio of 1: 1 is preferred.
A trapezoidal AC frequency of 0.1 to 120 Hz can be used, but 50 to 70 Hz is preferable in terms of equipment. If it is lower than 50 Hz, the carbon electrode of the main electrode is likely to be dissolved, and if it is higher than 70 Hz, it is likely to be affected by the inductance component on the power supply circuit and the power supply cost is increased.

  One or more AC power supplies can be connected to the electrolytic cell. As shown in FIG. 3, the current ratio between the AC anode and cathode applied to the aluminum plate facing the main electrode is controlled to achieve uniform graining and to dissolve the carbon of the main electrode. In addition, it is preferable to install an auxiliary anode and divert part of the alternating current. In FIG. 3, 311 is an aluminum plate, 312 is a radial drum roller, 313a and 313b are main poles, 314 is an electrolytic treatment solution, 315 is an electrolyte supply port, and 316 is a slit. 317 is an electrolyte passage, 318 is an auxiliary anode, 319a and 319b are thyristors, 320 is an AC power source, 340 is a main electrolytic cell, and 350 is an auxiliary anode cell. An anodic reaction that acts on the aluminum plate facing the main electrode by diverting a part of the current value as a direct current to an auxiliary anode provided in a tank separate from the two main electrodes via a rectifier or switching element It is possible to control the ratio between the current value for the current and the current value for the cathode reaction. On the aluminum plate facing the main electrode, the ratio of the amount of electricity involved in the anodic reaction and the cathodic reaction (the amount of electricity at the time of cathode / the amount of electricity at the time of anode) is preferably 0.3 to 0.95.

  As the electrolytic cell, electrolytic cells used for known surface treatments such as a vertical type, a flat type, and a radial type can be used, but a radial type electrolytic cell as described in JP-A-5-195300 is particularly preferable. . The electrolytic solution passing through the electrolytic cell may be parallel to the traveling direction of the aluminum web or may be a counter.

(Nitric acid electrolysis)
Pits having an average opening diameter of 0.5 to 5 μm can be formed by electrochemical surface roughening using an electrolytic solution mainly composed of nitric acid. However, when the amount of electricity is relatively large, the electrolytic reaction is concentrated, and honeycomb pits exceeding 5 μm are also generated.
To obtain such a grain, the total amount of electricity furnished to anode reaction on the aluminum plate up until the electrolysis reaction is completed is preferably from ^{1~1000C / dm 2, 50~300C / dm} 2 It is more preferable that The current density at this time is preferably ²⁰ to 100 A / dm ² .
Further, when a high concentration or high temperature nitric acid electrolytic solution is used, a small wave structure having an average opening diameter of 0.2 μm or less can be formed.

(Hydrochloric acid electrolysis)
Since hydrochloric acid itself has a strong ability to dissolve aluminum, it is possible to form fine irregularities on the surface with only slight electrolysis. These fine irregularities have an average opening diameter of 0.01 to 0.2 μm and are uniformly generated on the entire surface of the aluminum plate. Such grained total amount of electricity furnished to anode reaction on the aluminum plate up until the electrolysis reaction is completed in order to obtain the, is preferably from 1~100C / dm ^2, in 20~70C / dm ² More preferably. The current density at this time is preferably ²⁰ to 50 A / dm ² .

In such an electrochemical surface roughening treatment with an electrolyte mainly composed of hydrochloric acid, a large crater-like swell is simultaneously formed by increasing the total amount of electricity involved in the anode reaction to 400 to 1000 C / dm ^2. In this case, fine irregularities having an average opening diameter of 0.01 to 0.4 μm are formed on the entire surface by being superimposed on a crater-like wave having an average opening diameter of 10 to 30 μm.

  In the present invention, as the first electrolytic surface roughening treatment, the above-described electrolytic surface roughening treatment (nitric acid electrolysis) using the electrolytic solution mainly composed of nitric acid is performed, and the second electrolytic surface roughening treatment is performed as described above. It is preferable to perform an electrolytic surface roughening treatment (hydrochloric acid electrolysis) using an electrolytic solution mainly composed of hydrochloric acid.

The aluminum plate is preferably subjected to cathodic electrolysis treatment during the first and second electrolytic surface-roughening treatments performed in the electrolytic solution such as nitric acid and hydrochloric acid. By this cathodic electrolysis treatment, smut is generated on the surface of the aluminum plate, and hydrogen gas is generated to enable more uniform electrolytic surface roughening treatment. This cathodic electrolysis treatment is carried out in an acidic solution at a cathode electric quantity of preferably 3 to 80 C / dm ² , more preferably 5 to 30 C / dm ² . If the amount of cathodic electricity is less than 3 C / dm ² , the amount of smut adhesion may be insufficient, and if it exceeds 80 C / dm ² , the amount of smut adhesion may be excessive. Further, the electrolytic solution may be the same as or different from the solution used in the first and second electrolytic surface roughening processes.

<Alkaline etching treatment>
The alkali etching treatment is a treatment for dissolving the surface layer by bringing the aluminum plate into contact with an alkali solution.

  Alkaline etching performed before the electrolytic surface roughening treatment removes rolling oil, dirt, natural oxide film, etc. on the surface of the aluminum plate (rolled aluminum) if mechanical surface roughening treatment is not performed. If the surface of the unevenness generated by the mechanical surface roughening treatment is dissolved, the surface with sharp undulations is smoothed. It is done for the purpose of changing.

If you do not mechanical surface-roughening treatment before the alkali etching treatment, the etching amount is preferably from 0.1 to 10 g / m ^2, and more preferably 1 to 5 g / m ^2. If the etching amount is less than 0.1 g / m ² , rolling oil, dirt, natural oxide film, etc. may remain on the surface, so that uneven pits cannot be generated in the subsequent electrolytic surface roughening treatment. May occur. On the other hand, when the etching amount is 1 to 10 g / m ² , the surface rolling oil, dirt, natural oxide film and the like are sufficiently removed. An etching amount exceeding the above range is economically disadvantageous.

When performing mechanical surface-roughening treatment before the alkali etching treatment, the etching amount is preferably from 3 to 20 g / m ^2, and more preferably 5 to 15 g / m ^2. If the etching amount is less than 3 g / m ² , the unevenness formed by mechanical surface roughening may not be smoothed, and uniform pit formation may not be possible in subsequent electrolytic treatment. In addition, the stain may deteriorate during printing. On the other hand, when the etching amount exceeds 20 g / m ² , the concavo-convex structure may disappear.

The alkali etching treatment performed immediately after the electrolytic surface roughening treatment is performed for the purpose of dissolving the smut generated in the acidic electrolytic solution and dissolving the edge portion of the pit formed by the electrolytic surface roughening treatment. .
Since the pits formed by the electrolytic surface roughening treatment are different depending on the type of the electrolytic solution, the optimum etching amount is different, but the etching amount of the alkali etching treatment performed after the electrolytic surface roughening treatment is 0.1 to 5 g / m. ² is preferred. When a nitric acid electrolyte is used, the etching amount needs to be set larger than when a hydrochloric acid electrolyte is used.
When the electrolytic surface roughening treatment is performed a plurality of times, an alkali etching treatment can be performed as necessary after each treatment.

  Examples of the alkali used in the alkaline solution include caustic alkali and alkali metal salts. Specifically, examples of caustic alkali include caustic soda and caustic potash. Examples of the alkali metal salt include alkali metal silicates such as sodium metasilicate, sodium silicate, potassium metasilicate, and potassium silicate; alkali metal carbonates such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate; sodium aluminate and alumina. Alkali metal aluminates such as potassium acid; alkali metal aldones such as sodium gluconate and potassium gluconate; dibasic sodium phosphate, dibasic potassium phosphate, tribasic sodium phosphate, tertiary potassium phosphate, etc. An alkali metal hydrogen phosphate is mentioned. Among these, a caustic alkali solution and a solution containing both a caustic alkali and an alkali metal aluminate are preferable from the viewpoint of high etching rate and low cost. In particular, an aqueous solution of caustic soda is preferable.

  Although the density | concentration of an alkaline solution can be determined according to the etching amount, it is preferable that it is 1-50 mass%, and it is more preferable that it is 10-35 mass%. When aluminum ions are dissolved in the alkaline solution, the concentration of aluminum ions is preferably 0.01 to 10% by mass, and more preferably 3 to 8% by mass. The temperature of the alkaline solution is preferably 20 to 90 ° C. The treatment time is preferably 1 to 120 seconds.

  Examples of the method of bringing the aluminum plate into contact with the alkaline solution include, for example, a method in which the aluminum plate is passed through a tank containing the alkaline solution, a method in which the aluminum plate is immersed in a tank containing the alkaline solution, The method of spraying on the surface of a board is mentioned.

<Desmut treatment>
After the electrolytic surface roughening treatment or the alkali etching treatment, pickling (desmut treatment) is performed to remove dirt (smut) remaining on the surface. Examples of the acid used include nitric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, chromic acid, hydrofluoric acid, and borohydrofluoric acid.
The desmutting treatment is performed, for example, by bringing the aluminum plate into contact with an acidic solution having a concentration of 0.5 to 30% by mass (containing 0.01 to 5% by mass of aluminum ions) such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid. . Examples of the method of bringing the aluminum plate into contact with the acidic solution include a method in which the aluminum plate is passed through a tank containing the acidic solution, a method in which the aluminum plate is immersed in a tank containing the acidic solution, and the acidic solution being aluminum. The method of spraying on the surface of a board is mentioned.
In the desmutting treatment, the acidic solution is mainly composed of an aqueous solution mainly composed of nitric acid or an aqueous solution mainly composed of hydrochloric acid discharged in the above-described electrolytic surface-roughening treatment, or sulfuric acid discharged in an anodic oxidation process described later. It is possible to use a waste solution of an aqueous solution.
It is preferable that the liquid temperature of a desmut process is 25-90 degreeC. Moreover, it is preferable that processing time is 1-180 second. Aluminum and aluminum alloy components may be dissolved in the acidic solution used for the desmut treatment.

<Anodizing treatment>
The aluminum plate treated as described above is further subjected to anodizing treatment. The anodizing treatment can be performed by a method conventionally used in this field. In this case, for example, in a solution having a sulfuric acid concentration of 50 to 300 g / L and an aluminum concentration of 5% by mass or less, an aluminum plate can be energized as an anode to form an anodized film. As a solution used for the anodizing treatment, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, chromic acid, oxalic acid, sulfamic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, amidosulfonic acid and the like can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Under the present circumstances, the component normally contained at least in an aluminum plate, an electrode, tap water, groundwater, etc. may be contained in electrolyte solution. Furthermore, the 2nd, 3rd component may be added. Examples of the second and third components herein include metal ions such as Na, K, Mg, Li, Ca, Ti, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn; Cation such as ammonium ion; anion such as nitrate ion, carbonate ion, chloride ion, phosphate ion, fluoride ion, sulfite ion, titanate ion, silicate ion, borate ion, etc., 0 to 10,000 ppm It may be contained at a concentration of about.

The conditions for anodizing treatment vary depending on the electrolyte used, and thus cannot be determined unconditionally. In general, however, the electrolyte concentration is 1 to 80% by mass, the solution temperature is 5 to 70 ° C., and the current density is 0.5. ˜60 A / dm ² , voltage 1 to 100 V, and electrolysis time 15 seconds to 50 minutes are appropriate and adjusted so as to obtain a desired anodic oxide film amount.

  Further, JP-A-54-81133, JP-A-57-47894, JP-A-57-51289, JP-A-57-51290, JP-A-57-54300, JP-A-57-136596, JP-A-58-107498, JP-A-60-200366, JP-A-62-136696, JP-A-63-176494, JP-A-4-17697, JP-A-4-280997, JP-A-6-280997 The methods described in JP-A-207299, JP-A-5-24377, JP-A-5-32083, JP-A-5-125597, JP-A-5-195291 and the like can also be used.

  Of these, as described in JP-A-54-12853 and JP-A-48-45303, it is preferable to use a sulfuric acid solution as the electrolytic solution. The sulfuric acid concentration in the electrolytic solution is preferably 10 to 300 g / L (1 to 30% by mass), and the aluminum ion concentration is 1 to 25 g / L (0.1 to 2.5% by mass). It is preferable that it is 2 to 10 g / L (0.2 to 1% by mass). Such an electrolytic solution can be prepared, for example, by adding aluminum sulfate or the like to dilute sulfuric acid having a sulfuric acid concentration of 50 to 200 g / L.

When anodizing is performed in an electrolytic solution containing sulfuric acid, direct current may be applied between the aluminum plate and the counter electrode, or alternating current may be applied.
When a direct current is applied to the aluminum plate, the current density is preferably from 1 to 60 A / dm ^2, and more preferably 5 to 40 A / dm ^2.
In the case where continuous anodizing treatment is performed, a low current of 5 to 10 A / m ² is initially introduced so that current is concentrated on a part of the aluminum plate and so-called “burning” does not occur. It is preferable to increase the current density to 30 to 50 A / dm ² or more as the current is passed at the density and the anodization process proceeds.
When the anodizing process is continuously performed, it is preferable to perform the liquid feeding method in which the aluminum plate is fed with an electrolyte.
By performing anodizing treatment under such conditions, a porous film having many pores called micropores can be obtained. Usually, the average pore diameter is about 5 to 50 nm, and the average pore density is 300. ˜800 / μm ² or so.

The amount of the anodized film is preferably 1 to 5 g / m ² . If it is less than 1 g / m ² , the plate is likely to be scratched. On the other hand, if it exceeds 5 g / m ² , a large amount of electric power is required for production, which is economically disadvantageous. The amount of the anodized film is more preferably 1.5 to 4 g / m ² . Moreover, it is preferable to carry out so that the difference in the amount of the anodized film between the center portion of the aluminum plate and the vicinity of the edge portion is 1 g / m ² or less.

As the electrolysis apparatus used for the anodizing treatment, those described in JP-A-48-26638, JP-A-47-18739, JP-B-58-24517, and the like can be used.
Among these, the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is preferably used. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of an apparatus for anodizing the surface of an aluminum plate. In the anodizing apparatus 410, the aluminum plate 416 is transported as indicated by arrows in FIG. In the power supply tank 412 in which the electrolytic solution 418 is stored, the aluminum plate 416 is charged to (+) by the power supply electrode 420. The aluminum plate 416 is transported upward by the roller 422 in the power supply tank 412, and the direction is changed downward by the nip roller 424, and then transported toward the electrolytic treatment tank 414 in which the electrolytic solution 426 is stored. The direction is changed horizontally. Next, the aluminum plate 416 is charged to (−) by the electrolytic electrode 430 to form an anodized film on the surface thereof, and the aluminum plate 416 exiting the electrolytic treatment tank 414 is conveyed to a subsequent process. In the anodizing apparatus 410, the roller 422, the nip roller 424, and the roller 428 constitute a direction changing means, and the aluminum plate 416 is disposed between the power supply tank 412 and the electrolytic treatment tank 414 in the inter-tank section. By 428, it is conveyed into a mountain shape and an inverted U shape. The feeding electrode 420 and the electrolytic electrode 430 are connected to a DC power source 434.

  A feature of the anodizing apparatus 410 in FIG. 4 is that the feeding tank 412 and the electrolytic treatment tank 414 are partitioned by a single tank wall 432, and the aluminum plate 416 is conveyed in a mountain shape and an inverted U shape between the tanks. It is in. As a result, the length of the aluminum plate 416 in the inter-tank portion can be minimized. Therefore, the overall length of the anodizing apparatus 410 can be shortened, so that the equipment cost can be reduced. In addition, by conveying the aluminum plate 416 in a mountain shape and an inverted U shape, it is not necessary to form an opening for allowing the aluminum plate 416 to pass through the tank walls of the tanks 412 and 414. Therefore, since the liquid feeding amount required to maintain the liquid level height in each tank 412 and 414 at a required level can be suppressed, the operating cost can be reduced.

<Sealing treatment>
In this invention, you may perform the sealing process which seals the micropore which exists in an anodic oxide film as needed. The sealing treatment can be performed according to a known method such as boiling water treatment, hot water treatment, steam treatment, sodium silicate treatment, nitrite treatment, ammonium acetate treatment and the like. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-12518, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-4194, Japanese Patent Application No. 4-33952 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-202496), Japanese Patent Application No. 4-33951 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. -179482) etc. may be used for sealing treatment.

  Although the said conventionally well-known method can be used, it is preferable to use the sealing process by the aqueous solution containing an inorganic fluorine compound other than that. This will be described below.

(Sealing treatment with an aqueous solution containing an inorganic fluorine compound)
As the inorganic fluorine compound used for the sealing treatment with an aqueous solution containing an inorganic fluorine compound, for example, a metal fluoride is preferably exemplified.
Specifically, for example, sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, calcium fluoride, magnesium fluoride, sodium fluoride zirconate, potassium fluoride zirconate, sodium fluoride titanate, potassium fluoride titanate, zircon fluoride Ammonium acid, ammonium fluoride titanate, potassium fluoride titanate, fluorinated zirconate, fluorinated titanate, hexafluorosilicic acid, nickel fluoride, iron fluoride, phosphor fluoride, ammonium fluoride phosphate These can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, sodium fluorinated zirconate, sodium fluorinated titanate, fluorinated zirconic acid, and fluorinated titanic acid are preferable.

  The concentration of the inorganic fluorine compound in the aqueous solution containing the inorganic fluorine compound is preferably 0.01% by mass or more, and 0.05% by mass or more in terms of sufficiently sealing the micropores of the anodized film. More preferably, it is preferably 1% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.5% by mass or less from the viewpoint of stain resistance.

  Moreover, the aqueous solution containing an inorganic fluorine compound may contain a phosphate compound. When the phosphate compound is contained, the sealing treatment can be performed at a lower temperature, and the hydrophilicity of the surface of the anodized film is improved, so that the developability and stain resistance can be improved.

Suitable examples of such phosphate compounds include phosphates of metals such as alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.
Specifically, for example, zinc phosphate, aluminum phosphate, ammonium phosphate, diammonium hydrogen phosphate, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, monopotassium phosphate, monosodium phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate Potassium, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, calcium phosphate, sodium ammonium hydrogen phosphate, magnesium hydrogen phosphate, magnesium phosphate, ferrous phosphate, ferric phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium phosphate, hydrogen phosphate Disodium, lead phosphate, diammonium phosphate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, lithium phosphate, phosphotungstic acid, ammonium phosphotungstate, sodium phosphotungstate, ammonium phosphomolybdate, sodium phosphomolybdate, sodium phosphite , Tripolyphosphate Potassium, sodium pyrophosphate, and the like, may be used in combination alone, or two or more kinds. Among these, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate are preferable.

  The concentration of the phosphate compound in the aqueous solution containing the inorganic fluorine compound is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 0.1% by mass or more in terms of improving developability and stain resistance. In view of solubility, it is preferably 20% by mass or less, and more preferably 5% by mass or less.

  In the present invention, the combination of the inorganic fluorine compound and the phosphate compound is not particularly limited, but the aqueous solution containing the inorganic fluorine compound contains at least sodium zirconate fluoride as the inorganic fluorine compound, It is preferable that at least sodium dihydrogen phosphate is contained.

  The ratio of each compound in the aqueous solution containing the inorganic fluorine compound is not particularly limited, but the mass ratio of the inorganic fluorine compound and the phosphate compound is preferably 1/200 to 10/1, and preferably 1/30 to More preferably, it is 2/1.

  The temperature of the aqueous solution containing the inorganic fluorine compound is preferably 20 ° C. or higher, more preferably 40 ° C. or higher, preferably 100 ° C. or lower, and 80 ° C. or lower. More preferred. Furthermore, the aqueous solution containing the inorganic fluorine compound preferably has a pH of 1 or more, more preferably has a pH of 2 or more, preferably has a pH of 11 or less, and more preferably has a pH of 5 or less.

In the present invention, the method of sealing treatment with an aqueous solution containing an inorganic fluorine compound is not particularly limited, and for example, a dipping method or a spray method using an aqueous solution containing an inorganic fluorine compound can be used. These may be used alone or in combination, or may be used in combination of two or more.
Of these, the dipping method is preferred. When processing using the immersion method, the processing time is preferably 1 second or longer, more preferably 3 seconds or longer, and preferably 100 seconds or shorter, and 20 seconds or shorter. More preferred.

  The sealing treatment with an aqueous solution containing an inorganic fluorine compound is preferred because a uniform sealing layer can be obtained and the developability is very excellent. This is because, in the sealing treatment with water vapor or hot water, acicular crystals such as boehmite are likely to be formed on the surface of the anodized film, and the surface area tends to increase. This is because such needle-like crystals are not formed in the sealing treatment with an aqueous solution containing a fluorine compound.

<Hydrophilic treatment>
A hydrophilization treatment may be performed after the anodizing treatment or the sealing treatment. Examples of the hydrophilization treatment include treatment with potassium fluorozirconate described in US Pat. No. 2,946,638 and phosphomolybdate described in US Pat. No. 3,201,247. Treatment, alkyl titanate treatment described in British Patent 1,108,559, polyacrylic acid treatment described in German Patent 1,091,433, German Patent 1,134, No. 093 and British Patent No. 1,230,447, polyvinylphosphonic acid treatment, Japanese Patent Publication No. 44-6409, phosphonic acid treatment, US Pat. No. 3,307,951 Phytic acid treatment described in the specification of JP, No. 58-16893 and JP-A No. 58-18291 Treatment with a salt of a molecular compound and a divalent metal, as described in US Pat. No. 3,860,426, hydrophilic cellulose (eg, zinc acetate) containing a water-soluble metal salt (eg, zinc acetate) Carboxymethyl cellulose) is provided with a primer layer, and a water-soluble polymer having a sulfo group described in JP-A-59-101651.

Further, phosphates described in JP-A No. 62-019494, water-soluble epoxy compounds described in JP-A No. 62-033692, and JP-A No. 62-097892 Phosphoric acid modified starch, diamine compounds described in JP-A-63-056498, inorganic or organic acids of amino acids described in JP-A-63-130391, JP-A-63-145092 Organic phosphonic acids containing a carboxy group or hydroxy group, compounds having an amino group and a phosphonic acid group described in JP-A-63-165183, and JP-A-2-316290 Specific carboxylic acid derivatives, phosphate esters described in JP-A-3-215095, JP-A-3-261592 Compounds having one amino group and one oxygen acid group of phosphorus described in the publication, phosphoric esters described in JP-A-3-215095, and JP-A-5-246171 Aliphatic or aromatic phosphonic acids such as phenylphosphonic acid, compounds containing S atoms such as thiosalicylic acid described in JP-A-1-307745, phosphorus described in JP-A-4-282737 Examples of the treatment include undercoating using a compound having a group of oxygen acids.
Further, coloring with an acid dye described in JP-A-60-64352 can also be performed.

  Hydrophilicity can also be achieved by soaking in an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate such as sodium silicate or potassium silicate, or by applying a hydrophilic vinyl polymer or hydrophilic compound to form a hydrophilic primer layer. It is preferable to carry out the treatment.

Hydrophilization treatment with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate such as sodium silicate and potassium silicate is described in US Pat. No. 2,714,066 and US Pat. No. 3,181,461. It can be performed according to methods and procedures.
Examples of the alkali metal silicate include sodium silicate, potassium silicate, and lithium silicate. The aqueous solution of alkali metal silicate may contain an appropriate amount of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide or the like.
The aqueous solution of alkali metal silicate may contain an alkaline earth metal salt or a Group 4 (Group IVA) metal salt. Examples of the alkaline earth metal salt include nitrates such as calcium nitrate, strontium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, and barium nitrate; sulfates; hydrochlorides; phosphates; acetates; oxalates; Examples of the Group 4 (Group IVA) metal salt include titanium tetrachloride, titanium trichloride, potassium fluoride titanium, potassium oxalate, titanium sulfate, titanium tetraiodide, zirconium chloride, zirconium dioxide, zirconium oxychloride. And zirconium tetrachloride. These alkaline earth metal salts and Group 4 (Group IVA) metal salts are used alone or in combination of two or more.

The amount of Si adsorbed by the alkali metal silicate treatment can be measured with a fluorescent X-ray analyzer, and the amount of adsorption is preferably about 1.0 to 15.0 mg / m ² .
By this alkali metal silicate treatment, the effect of improving the dissolution resistance to the alkaline developer on the surface of the lithographic printing plate support is obtained, the dissolution of the aluminum component into the developer is suppressed, and the developer fatigue It is possible to reduce the occurrence of development residue due to the above.

The hydrophilization treatment by forming a hydrophilic undercoat layer can also be performed according to the conditions and procedures described in JP-A Nos. 59-101651 and 60-149491.
Examples of the hydrophilic vinyl polymer used in this method include polyvinyl sulfonic acid, sulfo group-containing vinyl polymerizable compounds such as p-styrene sulfonic acid having a sulfo group, and ordinary vinyl polymerization such as (meth) acrylic acid alkyl ester. And a copolymer with a functional compound. Moreover, as a hydrophilic compound used for this method, the compound which has at least one chosen from the group which consists of -NH2 group, -COOH group, and a sulfo group, for example is mentioned.

<Washing treatment>
It is preferable to perform water washing after the completion of the above-described processes. For washing, pure water, well water, tap water, or the like can be used. A nip device may be used to prevent the processing liquid from being brought into the next process.

[Image recording layer]
The image recording layer of the present invention is an image recording layer that can be developed (removable) with dampening water and / or ink. The image recording layer of the present invention is preferably an image recording layer capable of image-like recording with a laser beam emitting light having a wavelength in the range of 250 nm to 420 nm or an image recording layer capable of image recording with an infrared laser. Preferably, the image recording layer of the present invention is an image recording layer containing (A) a light absorber, (B) a polymerization initiator, (C) a polymerizable compound and (D) a binder.

  In the on-press development type image recording layer, specifically, the heated portion or irradiated portion is changed to hydrophobic or hydrophilic by heating or irradiation with thermal energy of radiation, and thereafter, dampening water and / or The non-image area can be removed by ink, and it is a heat-sensitive layer that can be developed with dampening water and / or ink on a printing machine to form a printing plate. For example, a heat-sensitive layer containing a polymer in which the heated part or irradiated part generates a specific acidic group (for example, phospho group, sulfo group, carboxy group) and is solubilized by heating or radiation irradiation, heating or radiation The heat-sensitive layer containing the hydrophobized precursor in which the heated portion or the irradiated portion forms a hydrophobic region by irradiation of the above.

  The polymer that generates and solubilizes a specific acidic group is preferably a sulfonic acid-generating polymer. For example, a sulfonic acid ester group, a disulfone group, or sec- or tert described in JP-A-10-282672. -The polymer etc. which have a sulfonamide group in a side chain can be mentioned.

Examples of hydrophobizing precursors include:
(A) Hydrophobic fine particle polymer (b) The microcapsule which encloses a hydrophobic substance is mentioned. These can be fused to each other by heating, or a hydrophobic substance contained in the microcapsule can cause a chemical reaction by heat to form an image area, that is, a hydrophobic area (parent ink area). Since these hydrophobized precursors are preferably dispersed in a hydrophilic binder, after image recording (exposure), a fountain solution and / or ink is supplied to perform special development processing. On-press development can be carried out without this.
Hereinafter, main components of the image recording layer of the present invention will be described.

(A) Light Absorber When the planographic printing plate precursor of the present invention can be recorded in an image-like manner by laser light that emits light having a wavelength in the range of 250 nm to 420 nm, light having a wavelength in the range of 250 nm to 420 nm is applied to the image recording layer. It is preferable to contain the absorber. Specific examples of these include, but are not limited to, dyes to be combined with a titanocene compound described later, and can be appropriately selected from known compounds.

  When forming an image of the lithographic printing plate precursor according to the invention with a laser light source that emits infrared rays of 700 to 1200 nm, the image recording layer preferably contains an infrared absorber. The infrared absorber has a function of converting absorbed infrared rays into heat, and the heat generated at this time causes the polymerization initiator to thermally decompose to generate radicals, or to generate radicals generated by heat or photoreaction. Make it easy to move. The infrared absorber used in the present invention is a dye or pigment having an absorption maximum at a wavelength of 760 to 1200 nm.

  As the dye, commercially available dyes and known dyes described in documents such as “Dye Handbook” (edited by the Society for Synthetic Organic Chemistry, published in 1970) can be used. Specifically, dyes such as azo dyes, metal complex azo dyes, pyrazolone azo dyes, naphthoquinone dyes, anthraquinone dyes, phthalocyanine dyes, carbonium dyes, quinoneimine dyes, methine dyes, cyanine dyes, squarylium dyes, pyrylium salts, metal thiolate complexes Is mentioned.

  Preferred dyes include, for example, cyanine dyes described in JP-A-58-125246, JP-A-59-84356, JP-A-60-78787, JP-A-58-173696, The methine dyes described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos. 58-181690 and 58-194595, JP-A 58-112793, JP-A 58-224793, JP-A 59-48187, Naphthoquinone dyes described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos. 59-73996, 60-52940 and 60-63744, and squarylium dyes described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 58-112792. And cyanine dyes described in British Patent 434,875.

  In addition, a near infrared absorption sensitizer described in US Pat. No. 5,156,938 is also preferably used, and a substituted arylbenzo (thio) described in US Pat. No. 3,881,924 is also suitable. ) Pyrylium salt, trimethine thiapyrylium salt described in JP-A-57-142645 (US Pat. No. 4,327,169), JP-A-58-181051, 58-220143, 59- No. 41363, 59-84248, 59-84249, 59-146063, 59-146061, pyranyl compounds described in JP-A-59-216146, cyanine dyes described in JP-A-59-216146, Patented in US Pat. No. 4,283,475, such as pentamethine thiopyrylium salt, and Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 5-13514 and 5-19702 Pyrylium compounds are also preferably used. Another example of a preferable dye is a near-infrared absorbing dye described in US Pat. No. 4,756,993 as formulas (I) and (II).

  Particularly preferred among these dyes are cyanine dyes, squarylium dyes, pyrylium salts, nickel thiolate complexes, and indolenine cyanine dyes. Further, cyanine dyes and indolenine cyanine dyes are preferred, and one particularly preferred example is a cyanine dye represented by the following general formula (IV).

In the general formula (IV), X ¹ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, -NPh ₂ , X ² -L ¹ or a group shown below. Here, X ² represents an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom or a sulfur atom, and L ¹ represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aromatic ring having a hetero atom, or 1 to 1 carbon atom containing a hetero atom. 12 hydrocarbon groups are shown. In addition, a hetero atom here shows N, S, O, a halogen atom, and Se. Xa ^- the Za described later ^- is defined as for, R ^a represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, substituted or unsubstituted amino group and a halogen atom.

R ¹ and R ² each independently represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. From the storage stability of the recording layer coating solution, R ¹ and R ² are preferably hydrocarbon groups having 2 or more carbon atoms, and R ¹ and R ² are bonded to each other to form a 5-membered ring or It is particularly preferable that a 6-membered ring is formed.

Ar ¹ and Ar ² may be the same or different and each represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent. Preferred aromatic hydrocarbon groups include a benzene ring and a naphthalene ring. Moreover, as a preferable substituent, a C12 or less hydrocarbon group, a halogen atom, and a C12 or less alkoxy group are mentioned. Y ¹ and Y ² may be the same or different and each represents a sulfur atom or a dialkylmethylene group having 12 or less carbon atoms. R ³ and R ⁴ may be the same or different and each represents a hydrocarbon group having 20 or less carbon atoms which may have a substituent. Preferred substituents include alkoxy groups having 12 or less carbon atoms, carboxyl groups, and sulfo groups. R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 12 or less carbon atoms. From the availability of raw materials, a hydrogen atom is preferred. Za ⁻ represents a counter anion. However, Za ⁻ is not necessary when the cyanine dye represented by formula (IV) has an anionic substituent in its structure and neutralization of charge is not necessary. Preferred Za ⁻ is a halogen ion, a perchlorate ion, a tetrafluoroborate ion, a hexafluorophosphate ion, and a sulfonate ion, particularly preferably a perchlorate ion, a hexagonal salt, in view of the storage stability of the recording layer coating solution. Fluorophosphate ions and aryl sulfonate ions.

Specific examples of the cyanine dye represented by formula (IV) that can be suitably used in the present invention include those described in paragraphs [0017] to [0019] of JP-A No. 2001-133969. be able to.
Further, other particularly preferable examples include specific indolenine cyanine dyes described in JP-A-2002-278057.

  Examples of the pigment used in the present invention include commercially available pigments and color index (CI) manual, “Latest Pigment Handbook” (edited by Japan Pigment Technology Association, published in 1977), “Latest Pigment Application Technology” (CMC Publishing, 1986), “Printing Ink Technology”, CMC Publishing, 1984) can be used.

  Examples of the pigment include black pigments, yellow pigments, orange pigments, brown pigments, red pigments, purple pigments, blue pigments, green pigments, fluorescent pigments, metal powder pigments, and other polymer-bonded dyes. Specifically, insoluble azo pigments, azo lake pigments, condensed azo pigments, chelate azo pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, anthraquinone pigments, perylene and perinone pigments, thioindigo pigments, quinacridone pigments, dioxazine pigments, isoindolinone pigments , Quinophthalone pigments, dyed lake pigments, azine pigments, nitroso pigments, nitro pigments, natural pigments, fluorescent pigments, inorganic pigments, carbon black, and the like. Among these pigments, carbon black is preferable.

  These pigments may be used without surface treatment, or may be used after surface treatment. The surface treatment method includes a method of surface coating with resin or wax, a method of attaching a surfactant, a method of bonding a reactive substance (eg, silane coupling agent, epoxy compound, polyisocyanate, etc.) to the pigment surface, etc. Can be considered. The above-mentioned surface treatment methods are described in “Characteristics and Application of Metal Soap” (Shobobo), “Printing Ink Technology” (CMC Publishing, 1984) and “Latest Pigment Application Technology” (CMC Publishing, 1986). Yes.

  The particle diameter of the pigment is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 10 μm, more preferably in the range of 0.05 to 1 μm, and particularly preferably in the range of 0.1 to 1 μm. Within this range, good stability of the pigment dispersion in the image recording layer coating solution and good uniformity of the image recording layer can be obtained.

  As a method for dispersing the pigment, a known dispersion technique used for ink production or toner production can be used. Examples of the disperser include an ultrasonic disperser, a sand mill, an attritor, a pearl mill, a super mill, a ball mill, an impeller, a disperser, a KD mill, a colloid mill, a dynatron, a three-roll mill, and a pressure kneader. Details are described in "Latest Pigment Applied Technology" (CMC Publishing, 1986).

  The addition of these infrared absorbers to the image recording layer is preferably made the minimum necessary amount in order to suppress side effects that inhibit the polymerization reaction.

  These infrared absorbers are added in a proportion of 0.001 to 50% by mass, preferably 0.005 to 30% by mass, particularly preferably 0.01 to 10% by mass, based on the total solid content of the image recording layer. Can do. Within this range, high sensitivity can be obtained without adversely affecting the uniformity and film strength of the image recording layer.

(B) Polymerization initiator The polymerization initiator that can be used in the present invention is a compound that initiates and accelerates the polymerization of a compound having a polymerizable unsaturated group by generating radicals by the energy of light, heat, or both. is there. Examples of the polymerization initiator that can be used in the present invention include known thermal polymerization initiators, compounds having a bond with small bond dissociation energy, and photopolymerization initiators.

  Examples of the polymerization initiator as described above include organic halogen compounds, carbonyl compounds, organic peroxides, azo polymerization initiators, azide compounds, metallocene compounds, hexaarylbiimidazole compounds, organic boron compounds, disulfone compounds, and oximes. Examples thereof include ester compounds and onium salt compounds.

  The photopolymerization initiator contained in the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate in the present invention in order to obtain a photosensitive layer having a photosensitivity in the wavelength range of 250 to 420 nm, according to the wavelength of the light source used, in patents, documents, etc. Various known photopolymerization initiators or a combination system (photoinitiation system) of two or more photopolymerization initiators can be appropriately selected and used.

Hereinafter, such a photopolymerization initiator (system) will be described.
Various photoinitiating systems have been proposed in the case of using a visible light of 400 nm or more, an Ar laser, a second harmonic of a semiconductor laser, or a SHG-YAG laser as a light source, for example, in US Pat. No. 2,850,445 Certain photoreducible dyes described, rose bengal, eosin, erythrodin, or a combination of a dye and an initiator, such as a combined initiator system of a dye and an amine (Japanese Patent Publication No. 44-20189), hexaary Combination system of rubiimidazole, radical generator and dye (Japanese Patent Publication No. 45-37377), system of hexaarylbiimidazole and p-dialkylaminobenzylidene ketone (Japanese Patent Publication No. 47-2528, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-155292) ), A system of a cyclic cis-α-dicarbonyl compound and a dye (JP-A-48-84183), cyclic to System of azine and merocyanine dye (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 54-151024), system of 3-ketocoumarin and activator (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 52-112681, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-15503), biimidazole, styrene derivatives Thiol system (JP 59-140203 A), organic peroxide and dye system (JP 59-1504, JP 59-140203, JP 59-189340, JP Sho 62-174203, JP-B 62-1641, U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,055), dyes and active halogen compounds (JP-A 63-258903, JP-A 2-63054, etc.), dyes And borate compounds (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 62-143044, 62-150242, 64-13140, 64-13141, 64-64 No. 13142, JP-A 64-13143, JP-A 64-13144, JP-A 64-17048, JP-A 1-222903, JP-A 1-298348, JP-A 1-138204, etc. ), Titanocene and 3-ketocoumarin dye systems (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-221110), titanocene and xanthene dyes, and a combination of addition-polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated bond-containing compounds containing amino groups or urethane groups (special Kaihei 4-221958, JP-A-4-219756, titanocene and a specific merocyanine dye system (JP-A-6-295061), dye system having a titanocene and a benzopyran ring (JP-A-8-334897) Gazette) and the like.
In addition, a system of a dye having a rhodanine ring and a radical generator (JP-A-2-179634, JP-A-2-244050) generates radicals by light energy to polymerize a compound having a polymerizable unsaturated group. Initiating and promoting systems can also be used.

  In addition, a laser having a wavelength of 400 to 410 nm (violet laser) has been developed, and a photoinitiating system exhibiting high sensitivity at a wavelength of 450 nm or less, which is sensitive to the laser, has been developed, for example, a cationic dye / borate system (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-84647). And photoinitiating systems such as a merocyanine dye / titanocene system (JP 2000-147663 A) and a carbazole type dye / titanocene system (JP 2001-42524 A). In particular, a system using a titanocene compound is preferable because of its excellent sensitivity.

  Various titanocene compounds can be used. For example, various titanocene compounds described in JP-A-59-152396 and JP-A-61-151197 can be appropriately selected and used. . More specifically, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-di-chloride, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-phenyl, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,3,4,5 , 6-pentafluorophen-1-yl, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophen-1-yl, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2 , 4,6-trifluorophen-1-yl, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,6-di-fluorophen-1-yl, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2, 4-fluorophen-1-yl, dimethylcyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,3,4,5,6-tetrafluorophen-1-yl, di-methylcyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2 , 6-Di Ruorofeni-1-yl, di - cyclopentadienyl -Ti- bis-2,6'-difluoro-3 can be mentioned (pill-1-yl) 1-yl and the like.

Furthermore, as required for the above photopolymerization initiator, thiol compounds such as 2-mercaptobenzthiazole, 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, 2-mercaptobenzoxazole, N-phenylglycine, N, N-dialkylamino aromatic alkyl ester, etc. It is known that the photoinitiating ability can be further enhanced by adding a hydrogen-donating compound such as an amine compound.
The addition amount of these photopolymerization initiators (systems) is usually 0.05 to 100 parts by mass, preferably 0.1 to 70 parts by mass, and more preferably 0 to 100 parts by mass of the ethylenically unsaturated bond-containing compound. Used in the range of 2 to 50 parts by mass.

On the other hand, a particularly preferred polymerization initiator for the present invention is a compound that generates radicals by light energy and initiates and accelerates the polymerization of a compound having a polymerizable unsaturated group. In particular, the polymerization initiator alone or the polymerization initiator It is a compound that generates radicals by absorbing light of 250 nm to 420 nm in combination with a sensitizer described later. As such a photo radical generator, a known polymerization initiator, a compound having a bond having a small bond dissociation energy, or the like can be appropriately selected and used.
The emission spectrum intensity of white light is strong in the visible region exceeding 400 nm, and a polymerization initiator having sufficient photosensitivity in that region is likely to cause fogging under white light. Therefore, absorption of the initiator and the sensitizer is difficult. The maximum is preferably 400 nm or less.

  Examples of the compound that generates radicals include organic halogen compounds, carbonyl compounds, organic peroxides, azo compounds, azide compounds, metallocene compounds, hexaarylbiimidazole compounds, organic boron compounds, disulfone compounds, and oxime ester compounds. And onium salt compounds.

  Specific examples of the organic halogen compound include Wakabayashi et al., “Bull Chem. Soc Japan” 42, 2924 (1969), US Pat. No. 3,905,815, Japanese Patent Publication No. 46-4605, JP 48-36281, JP 53-133428, JP 55-3070, JP 60-239736, JP 61-169835, JP 61-169837, JP 62- 58241, JP-A 62-212401, JP-A 63-70243, JP-A 63-298339, P. Hutt, “Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry” 1 (No. 3), (1970) ”. Of these, oxazole compounds and S-triazine compounds substituted with a trihalomethyl group are preferred.

  More preferable examples include s-triazine derivatives in which at least one mono, di, or trihalogen-substituted methyl group is bonded to the s-triazine ring, and oxadiazole derivatives in which the oxadiazole ring is bonded. Specifically, for example, 2,4,6-tris (monochloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2,4,6-tris (dichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2,4,6-tris (trichloromethyl) -S-triazine, 2-methyl-4,6-bis (trichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2-n-propyl-4,6-bis (trichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2- (α, α, β-trichloroethyl) -4,6-bis (trichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2- (3,4-epoxyphenyl) -4,6-bis (trichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2- [1- (P-methoxyphenyl) -2,4-butadienyl] -4,6-bis (trichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2-styryl-4,6-bis (trichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2- ( -Methoxystyryl) -4,6-bis (trichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2- (pi-propyloxystyryl) -4,6-bis (trichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2- (p- Tolyl) -4,6-bis (trichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2- (4-methoxynaphthyl) -4,6-bis (trichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2-phenylthio-4,6-bis ( Trichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2-benzylthio-4,6-bis (trichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2,4,6-tris (dibromomethyl) -s-triazine, 2,4,6-tris ( Tribromomethyl) -s-triazine, 2-methyl-4,6-bis (tribromomethyl) -s-triazine, 2-methoxy-4,6-bis (tribromomethyl) Etc. -s- triazine and the following compounds.

Examples of the carbonyl compound include benzophenone, Michler ketone, 2-methylbenzophenone, 3-methylbenzophenone, 4-methylbenzophenone, 2-chlorobenzophenone, 4-bromobenzophenone, 2-carboxybenzophenone and other benzophenone derivatives, 2,2-dimethoxy- 2-phenylacetophenone, 2,2-diethoxyacetophenone, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, α-hydroxy-2-methylphenylpropanone, 1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl- (p-isopropylphenyl) ketone, 1- Hydroxy-1- (p-dodecylphenyl) ketone, 2-methyl- (4 ′
-(Methylthio) phenyl) -2-morpholino-1-propanone, acetophenone derivatives such as 1,1,1-trichloromethyl- (p-butylphenyl) ketone, thioxanthone, 2-ethylthioxanthone, 2-isopropylthioxanthone, 2- Thioxanthone derivatives such as chlorothioxanthone, 2,4-dimethylthioxanthone, 2,4-diethylthioxanthone, 2,4-diisopropylthioxanthone, benzoic acid ester derivatives such as ethyl p-dimethylaminobenzoate, ethyl p-diethylaminobenzoate, etc. Can be mentioned.

  As the azo compound, for example, an azo compound described in JP-A-8-108621 can be used.

  Examples of the organic peroxide include trimethylcyclohexanone peroxide, acetylacetone peroxide, 1,1-bis (tert-butylperoxy) -3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, 1,1-bis (tert-butyl). Peroxy) cyclohexane, 2,2-bis (tert-butylperoxy) butane, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, diisopropylbenzene hydroperoxide, 2,5-dimethylhexane-2,5-dihydro Peroxide, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide, tert-butylcumyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di (tert-butylperoxy) hexane, 2, -Oxanoyl peroxide, succinic peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl peroxide, diisopropyl peroxydicarbonate, di-2-ethylhexyl peroxydicarbonate, di-2-ethoxyethyl peroxydicarbonate , Dimethoxyisopropyl peroxycarbonate, di (3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl) peroxydicarbonate, tert-butyl peroxyacetate, tert-butyl peroxypivalate, tert-butyl peroxyneodecanoate, tert- Butyl peroxyoctanoate, tert-butyl peroxylaurate, tersyl carbonate, 3,3 ′, 4,4′-tetra- (t-butylperoxycarbonyl) benzophenone, 3,3 ′, 4,4 ′ − Tra- (t-hexylperoxycarbonyl) benzophenone, 3,3 ′, 4,4′-tetra- (p-isopropylcumylperoxycarbonyl) benzophenone, carbonyldi (t-butylperoxydihydrogen diphthalate), carbonyl And di (t-hexylperoxydihydrogen diphthalate).

  Examples of the metallocene compound include JP-A-59-152396, JP-A-61-151197, JP-A-63-41484, JP-A-2-249, JP-A-2-4705, Various titanocene compounds described in JP-A-5-83588, such as di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-phenyl, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,6-difluorophen-1-yl, Di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,4-di-fluorophen-1-yl, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,4,6-trifluorophen-1-yl, di- -Cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophen-1-yl, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,3,4,5,6-penta Fluorophen-1-yl, di-methylcyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,6-difluorophen-1-yl, di-methylcyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,4,6-trifluoropheny -1-yl, di-methylcyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophen-1-yl, di-methylcyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,3,4 , 5,6-pentafluorophen-1-yl, iron-arene complexes described in JP-A-1-304453 and JP-A-1-152109, and the like.

  Examples of the hexaarylbiimidazole compound include the specifications of JP-B-6-29285, US Pat. Nos. 3,479,185, 4,311,783, and 4,622,286. And, specifically, 2,2′-bis (o-chlorophenyl) -4,4 ′, 5,5′-tetraphenylbiimidazole, 2,2′-bis (o-bromophenyl) )) 4,4 ′, 5,5′-tetraphenylbiimidazole, 2,2′-bis (o, p-dichlorophenyl) -4,4 ′, 5,5′-tetraphenylbiimidazole, 2,2 ′ -Bis (o-chlorophenyl) -4,4 ', 5,5'-tetra (m-methoxyphenyl) biidazole, 2,2'-bis (o, o'-dichlorophenyl) -4,4', 5,5 '-Tetraphenylbiimidazole, 2, 2' Bis (o-nitrophenyl) -4,4 ′, 5,5′-tetraphenylbiimidazole, 2,2′-bis (o-methylphenyl) -4,4 ′, 5,5′-tetraphenylbiimidazole 2,2′-bis (o-trifluorophenyl) -4,4 ′, 5,5′-tetraphenylbiimidazole and the like.

  Examples of the organoboron compound include JP-A-62-143044, JP-A-62-1050242, JP-A-9-188585, JP-A-9-188686, JP-A-9-188710, JP-A 2000-. No. 131837, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-107916, Japanese Patent No. 2764769, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-116539, and Kunz, Martin “Rad Tech '98. Proceeding April 19-22, 1998, Chicago”, etc. The organic borate described in JP-A-6-157623, JP-A-6-175564, JP-A-6-175561, or organic boron oxosulfonium complex, JP-A-6-175554 No. 6, JP-A-6-17555 Organoboron iodonium complex described in JP-A-9-188, organoboron phosphonium complex described in JP-A-9-188710, JP-A-6-34811, JP-A-7-128785, JP-A-7-140589, Examples thereof include organoboron transition metal coordination complexes such as Kaihei 7-306527 and JP-A-7-292014.

  Examples of the disulfone compound include compounds described in JP-A Nos. 61-166544 and 2003-328465.

  Examples of the oxime ester compound include JCS Perkin II (1979) 1653-1660), JCS Perkin II (1979) 156-162, Journal of Photopolymer Science and Technology (1995) 202-232, and JP-A 2000-66385. Compounds, compounds described in JP-A No. 2000-80068, specifically, compounds represented by the following structural formulas may be mentioned.

  Examples of the onium salt compound include S.I. I. Schlesinger, Photogr. Sci. Eng. , 18, 387 (1974), T.A. S. Diazonium salts described in Bal et al, Polymer, 21, 423 (1980), ammonium salts described in US Pat. No. 4,069,055, JP-A-4-365049, etc., US Pat. No. 4,069 , 055, 4,069,056, phosphonium salts described in European Patent Nos. 104,143, US Pat. Nos. 339,049, 410,201, JP -150848, JP-A-2-296514, iodonium salts, European Patent Nos. 370,693, 390,214, 233,567, 297,443, and 297 442, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,933,377, 161,811, 410,201, 339,049, 4,760,013 No. 4,734,444, No. 2,833,827, German Patent No. 2,904,626, No. 3,604,580, No. 3,604,581 Or a sulfonium salt described in J. V. Crivello et al, Macromolecules, 10 (6), 1307 (1977), J. MoI. V. Crivello et al, J.A. Polymer Sci. , Polymer Chem. Ed. , 17, 1047 (1979), a selenonium salt described in C.I. S. Wen et al, Teh, Proc. Conf. Rad. Curing ASIA, p478 Tokyo, Oct (1988), and onium salts such as arsonium salts.

  In the present invention, these onium salts function not as acid generators but as ionic radical polymerization initiators. The onium salt suitably used in the present invention is an onium salt represented by the following general formulas (RI-I) to (RI-III).

In the formula (RI-I), Ar ₁₁ represents an aryl group having 20 or less carbon atoms which may have 1 to 6 substituents, and preferred substituents include an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and a carbon number. 1-12 alkenyl group, C1-C12 alkynyl group, C1-C12 aryl group, C1-C12 alkoxy group, C1-C12 aryloxy group, halogen atom, C1-C1 12 alkylamino groups, C1-C12 dialkylamino groups, C1-C12 alkylamide groups or arylamide groups, carbonyl groups, carboxyl groups, cyano groups, sulfonyl groups, C1-C12 thioalkyl groups And a thioaryl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. Z ₁₁ ^- represents a monovalent anion, specifically a halogen ion, perchlorate ion, hexafluorophosphate ion, tetrafluoroborate ion, sulfonate ion, sulfinate ion, thiosulfonate ion, a sulfate ion Can be mentioned. Among these, perchlorate ion, hexafluorophosphate ion, tetrafluoroborate ion, sulfonate ion and sulfinate ion are preferable from the viewpoint of stability.

In the formula (RI-II), Ar ₂₁ and Ar ₂₂ each independently represent an aryl group having 20 or less carbon atoms which may have 1 to 6 substituents, and preferred substituents include 1 to 1 carbon atoms. 12 alkyl groups, an alkenyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aryloxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, Halogen atom, C1-C12 alkylamino group, C1-C12 dialkylamino group, C1-C12 alkylamide group or arylamide group, carbonyl group, carboxyl group, cyano group, sulfonyl group, carbon Examples thereof include a thioalkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and a thioaryl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. Z ₂₁ ^- represents a monovalent anion. Specific examples include halogen ions, perchlorate ions, hexafluorophosphate ions, tetrafluoroborate ions, sulfonate ions, sulfinate ions, thiosulfonate ions, and sulfate ions. Among these, perchlorate ion, hexafluorophosphate ion, tetrafluoroborate ion, sulfonate ion, sulfinate ion, and carboxylate ion are preferable from the viewpoint of stability and reactivity.

In the formula (RI-III), R ₃₁ , R ₃₂ and R ₃₃ are each independently an aryl group, alkyl group, alkenyl group or alkynyl having 20 or less carbon atoms, which may have 1 to 6 substituents. Represents a group. Among them, an aryl group is preferable from the viewpoint of reactivity and stability. Examples of the substituent include an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, Aryloxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, halogen atom, alkylamino group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, dialkylamino group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, alkylamide group or arylamide group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, carbonyl group, carboxyl Group, a cyano group, a sulfonyl group, a thioalkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and a thioaryl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. Z ₃₁ ^- represents a monovalent anion. Specific examples include halogen ions, perchlorate ions, hexafluorophosphate ions, tetrafluoroborate ions, sulfonate ions, sulfinate ions, thiosulfonate ions, and sulfate ions. Among these, perchlorate ion, hexafluorophosphate ion, tetrafluoroborate ion, sulfonate ion, sulfinate ion, and carboxylate ion are preferable from the viewpoints of stability and reactivity. More preferred are the carboxylate ions described in JP-A No. 2001-343742, and particularly preferred are the carboxylate ions described in JP-A No. 2002-148790.

  Although the specific example of the onium salt compound suitable for this invention is given to the following, it is not limited to these.

  The polymerization initiator is not limited to the above, but particularly from the viewpoint of reactivity and stability, triazine-based initiators, organic halogen compounds, oxime ester compounds, diazonium salts, iodonium salts, and sulfonium salts can be exposed in a short time. This is more preferable because a large amount of radicals are generated.

  Furthermore, these triazine-based initiators, organic halogen compounds, oxime ester compounds, diazonium salts, iodonium salts, and sulfonium salt-based polymerization initiators are preferably used in combination with a sensitizer. By using in combination with a sensitizer, the photopolymerization rate can be increased.

  Specific examples of such sensitizers include benzoin, benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, 9-fluorenone, 2-chloro-9-fluorenone, 2-methyl-9-fluorenone, 9-anthrone, and 2-bromo-9. -Anthrone, 2-ethyl-9-anthrone, 9,10-anthraquinone, 2-ethyl-9, 10-anthraquinone, 2-t-butyl-9,10-anthraquinone, 2,6-dichloro-9,10-anthraquinone , Xanthone, 2-methylxanthone, 2-methoxyxanthone, thioxanthone, benzyl, dibenzalacetone, p- (dimethylamino) phenyl styryl ketone, p- (dimethylamino) phenyl p-methylstyryl ketone, benzophenone, p- ( Dimethylamino) benzophenone (or mihi Keton), p- (diethylamino) benzophenone, and the like benzanthrone.

  Furthermore, preferred sensitizers in the present invention include compounds represented by the general formula (I) described in JP-B 51-48516.

In the formula, R ¹⁴ is an alkyl group (for example, methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, etc.) or a substituted alkyl group (for example, 2-hydroxyethyl group, 2-methoxyethyl group, carboxymethyl group, 2-carboxyethyl group) Etc.). R ¹⁵ represents an alkyl group (eg, methyl group, ethyl group, etc.) or an aryl group (eg, phenyl group, p-hydroxyphenyl group, naphthyl group, thienyl group, etc.).

Z ² is a group of nonmetallic atoms necessary for forming a heterocyclic nucleus containing nitrogen, which is usually used in cyanine dyes, such as benzothiazoles (benzothiazole, 5-chlorobenzothiazole, 6-chlorobenzothiazole, etc.), naphtho Thiazoles (α-naphthothiazole, β-naphthothiazole, etc.), benzoselenazoles (benzoselenazole, 5-chlorobenzoselenazole, 6-methoxybenzoselenazole, etc.), naphthoselenazoles (α-naphthoselenazole) , Β-naphthselenazole, etc.), benzoxazoles (benzoxazole, 5-methylbenzoxazole, 5-phenylbenzoxazole, etc.) and naphthoxazoles (α-naphthoxazole, β-naphthoxazole, etc.).

Specific examples of the compound represented by the general formula (I) are those having a chemical structure combining these Z ² , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ , and many exist as known substances. Therefore, it can be used by appropriately selecting from these known ones. Furthermore, preferable sensitizers in the present invention include merocyanine dyes described in JP-B-5-47095 and ketocoumarin compounds represented by the following general formula (II).

Here, R ¹⁶ represents an alkyl group such as a methyl group or an ethyl group.

  As the sensitizer, merocyanine dyes described in JP-A No. 2000-147763 can also be used. Specifically, the following compounds can be mentioned.

  These polymerization initiators and sensitizers are each preferably from 0.05 to 100% by mass, more preferably from 0.1 to 50% by mass, and more preferably from 0.5 to 30%, based on the total solid content constituting the image recording layer. It can be added at a ratio of mass%, particularly preferably 0.8 to 20 mass%. Within this range, good sensitivity and good stain resistance of the non-image area during printing can be obtained. These polymerization initiators may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Moreover, these polymerization initiators may be added to the same layer as other components, or another layer may be provided and added thereto.

(C) Polymerizable Compound The polymerizable compound that can be used in the present invention is an addition polymerizable compound having at least one ethylenically unsaturated double bond, and has at least one ethylenically unsaturated bond, preferably 2 It is selected from compounds having at least one. Such a compound group is widely known in the industrial field, and can be used without any particular limitation in the present invention.
These have chemical forms such as monomers, prepolymers, ie dimers, trimers and oligomers, or mixtures thereof. Examples of such polymerizable compounds include unsaturated carboxylic acids (for example, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid, maleic acid, etc.), esters and amides thereof. In this case, an ester of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol compound, or an amide of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and an aliphatic polyvalent amine compound is used. In addition, an addition reaction product of an unsaturated carboxylic acid ester or amide having a nucleophilic substituent such as a hydroxyl group, an amino group or a mercapto group with a monofunctional or polyfunctional isocyanate or epoxy, and a monofunctional or polyfunctional compound. A dehydration condensation reaction product with a functional carboxylic acid is also preferably used. Further, an addition reaction product of an unsaturated carboxylic acid ester or amide having an electrophilic substituent such as an epoxy group or an epoxy group with a monofunctional or polyfunctional alcohol, amine or thiol, a halogen group or In addition, a substitution reaction product of an unsaturated carboxylic acid ester or amide having a leaving substituent such as a tosyloxy group and a monofunctional or polyfunctional alcohol, amine or thiol is also suitable. As another example, it is also possible to use a group of compounds substituted with unsaturated phosphonic acid, styrene, vinyl ether or the like instead of the unsaturated carboxylic acid.

  Specific examples of the monomer of an ester of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol compound and an unsaturated carboxylic acid include acrylic acid esters such as ethylene glycol diacrylate, triethylene glycol diacrylate, 1,3-butanediol diacrylate, and tetramethylene glycol. Diacrylate, propylene glycol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, trimethylolpropane tri (acryloyloxypropyl) ether, trimethylolethane triacrylate, hexanediol diacrylate, 1,4-cyclohexanediol diacrylate , Tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, pentaerythritol diacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate , Pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, dipentaerythritol diacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, sorbitol triacrylate, sorbitol tetraacrylate, sorbitol pentaacrylate, sorbitol hexaacrylate, tri (acryloyloxyethyl) isocyanurate, polyester acrylate oligomer, isocyanuric acid There are EO-modified triacrylate and the like.

  Methacrylic acid esters include tetramethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, neopentyl glycol dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, trimethylolethane trimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,3-butanediol dimethacrylate, Hexanediol dimethacrylate, pentaerythritol dimethacrylate, pentaerythritol trimethacrylate, pentaerythritol tetramethacrylate, dipentaerythritol dimethacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexamethacrylate, sorbitol trimethacrylate, sorbitol tetramethacrylate, bis [p- (3-methacryloxy- 2-hydroxypro ) Phenyl] dimethyl methane, bis -, and the like [p- (methacryloxyethoxy) phenyl] dimethyl methane.

  Itaconic acid esters include ethylene glycol diitaconate, propylene glycol diitaconate, 1,3-butanediol diitaconate, 1,4-butanediol diitaconate, tetramethylene glycol diitaconate, pentaerythritol diitaconate And sorbitol tetritaconate. Examples of crotonic acid esters include ethylene glycol dicrotonate, tetramethylene glycol dicrotonate, pentaerythritol dicrotonate, and sorbitol tetradicrotonate. Examples of isocrotonic acid esters include ethylene glycol diisocrotonate, pentaerythritol diisocrotonate, and sorbitol tetraisocrotonate. Examples of maleic acid esters include ethylene glycol dimaleate, triethylene glycol dimaleate, pentaerythritol dimaleate, and sorbitol tetramaleate.

  Examples of other esters include, for example, aliphatic alcohol esters described in JP-B-51-47334 and JP-A-57-196231, JP-A-59-5240, and JP-A-59-5241. And those having an aromatic skeleton described in JP-A-2-226149 and those containing an amino group described in JP-A-1-165613. Furthermore, the ester monomers described above can also be used as a mixture.

  Specific examples of amide monomers of aliphatic polyvalent amine compounds and unsaturated carboxylic acids include methylene bis-acrylamide, methylene bis-methacrylamide, 1,6-hexamethylene bis-acrylamide, 1,6-hexamethylene bis. -Methacrylamide, diethylenetriamine trisacrylamide, xylylene bisacrylamide, xylylene bismethacrylamide and the like. Examples of other preferable amide monomers include those having a cyclohexylene structure described in JP-B-54-21726.

  In addition, urethane-based addition polymerizable compounds produced by using an addition reaction of isocyanate and hydroxyl group are also suitable, and specific examples thereof include, for example, one molecule described in JP-B-48-41708. A vinyl urethane containing two or more polymerizable vinyl groups in one molecule obtained by adding a vinyl monomer containing a hydroxyl group represented by the following general formula (a) to a polyisocyanate compound having two or more isocyanate groups. Compound etc. are mentioned.

_{CH 2 = C (R 4)} COOCH 2 CH (R 5) OH (a)
(However, R ₄ and R ₅ represent H or CH _3. )

  Further, urethane acrylates such as those described in JP-A-51-37193, JP-B-2-32293, JP-B-2-16765, JP-B-58-49860, JP-B-56-17654 Urethane compounds having an ethylene oxide skeleton described in JP-B-62-39417 and JP-B-62-39418 are also suitable. Furthermore, by using addition polymerizable compounds having an amino structure or a sulfide structure in the molecule described in JP-A-63-277653, JP-A-63-260909, JP-A-1-105238, It is possible to obtain a photopolymerizable composition excellent in the photosensitive speed.

Other examples include reacting polyester acrylates, epoxy resins and (meth) acrylic acid as described in JP-A-48-64183, JP-B-49-43191 and JP-B-52-30490. And polyfunctional acrylates and methacrylates such as epoxy acrylates. In addition, specific unsaturated compounds described in JP-B-46-43946, JP-B-1-40337, JP-B-1-40336, and vinylphosphonic acid-based compounds described in JP-A-2-25493 are also included. Can be mentioned.
In some cases, a structure containing a perfluoroalkyl group described in JP-A-61-22048 is preferably used. Furthermore, Journal of Japan Adhesion Association vol. 20, no. 7, pages 300 to 308 (1984), which are introduced as photocurable monomers and oligomers, can also be used.

About these addition polymerizable compounds, the details of the method of use such as the structure, single use or combination, addition amount, etc. can be arbitrarily set according to the performance design of the final lithographic printing plate precursor. For example, it is selected from the following viewpoints.
From the viewpoint of sensitivity, a structure having a large unsaturated group content per molecule is preferable, and in many cases, a bifunctional or higher functionality is preferable. Further, in order to increase the strength of the image area, that is, the cured film, those having three or more functionalities are preferable. Further, different functional numbers and different polymerizable groups (for example, acrylic acid ester, methacrylic acid ester, styrenic compound, vinyl ether type). A method of adjusting both sensitivity and strength by using a compound) is also effective.
Further, the selection and use method of the addition polymerization compound is also an important factor for the compatibility and dispersibility with other components (for example, binder polymer, initiator, colorant, etc.) in the image recording layer. In some cases, the compatibility can be improved by using a low-purity compound or by using two or more kinds in combination. In addition, a specific structure may be selected for the purpose of improving the adhesion of the substrate and the protective layer described later.

The polymerizable compound is preferably used in the range of 5 to 48% by mass, more preferably 10 to 45% by mass, based on the total solid content constituting the image recording layer. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
In addition, the use method of the above-mentioned polymerizable compound can be arbitrarily selected from the viewpoint of polymerization inhibition with respect to oxygen, resolution, fogging, refractive index change, surface adhesiveness, etc. Depending on the case, a layer configuration and coating method such as undercoating and overcoating can be performed.

(D) Binder polymer In the image recording layer of the present invention, a binder polymer is used in order to improve the film strength of the image recording layer. As the binder polymer to be used, a conventionally known one can be used without limitation, and a polymer having a film property is preferable. Examples of such binder polymers include acrylic resins, polyvinyl acetal resins, polyurethane resins, polyurea resins, polyimide resins, polyamide resins, epoxy resins, methacrylic resins, polystyrene resins, novolac phenolic resins, polyester resins, and synthetic rubbers. And natural rubber.
The binder polymer may have crosslinkability in order to improve the film strength of the image area. In order to give the binder polymer crosslinkability, a crosslinkable functional group such as an ethylenically unsaturated bond may be introduced into the main chain or side chain of the polymer. The crosslinkable functional group may be introduced by copolymerization.
Examples of the polymer having an ethylenically unsaturated bond in the main chain of the molecule include poly-1,4-butadiene and poly-1,4-isoprene.
Examples of polymers having an ethylenically unsaturated bond in the side chain of the molecule are polymers of esters or amides of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, where R of the ester or amide residue (—COOR or —CONHR) is R Mention may be made of polymers having an ethylenically unsaturated bond.

Examples of the residue (the R) having an ethylenically unsaturated _{bond, - (CH 2) n CR} 1 = CR 2 R 3, - (CH 2 O) n CH 2 CR 1 = CR 2 R 3, - _{(CH 2 CH 2 O) n} CH 2 CR 1 = CR 2 R 3, - (CH 2) n NH-CO-O-CH 2 CR 1 = CR 2 R 3, - (CH 2) n -O-CO —CR ¹ ═CR ² R ³ and — (CH ₂ CH ₂ O) ₂ —X (wherein R ^{1 to} R ³ are each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group, Represents an alkoxy group or an aryloxy group, and R ¹ and R ² or R ³ may combine with each other to form a ring, n represents an integer of 1 to 10. X represents dicyclopentadienyl. Represents a residue).
Specific examples of R in the ester _{residue, -CH 2 CH = CH 2,} ( described in JP Kokoku _{7-21633.) - CH 2 CH 2} O-CH 2 CH = CH 2, -CH _{2 C (CH 3) = CH} 2, -CH 2 CH = CH-C 6 H 5, -CH 2 CH 2 OCOCH = CH-C 6 H 5, -CH 2 CH 2 -NHCOO-CH 2 CH = CH 2 And —CH ₂ CH ₂ O—X (wherein X represents a dicyclopentadienyl residue).
Specific examples of R of the amide residue include —CH ₂ CH═CH ₂ , —CH ₂ CH ₂ —Y (wherein Y represents a cyclohexene residue), —CH ₂ CH ₂ —OCO—CH═. CH ₂ may be mentioned.

  In the case of a binder polymer having crosslinkability, for example, free radicals (polymerization initiation radicals or growth radicals in the polymerization process of a polymerizable compound) are added to the crosslinkable functional group, and a polymerization chain of a polymerizable compound is formed directly between polymers. Through addition polymerization, a cross-link is formed between the polymer molecules and cured. Alternatively, atoms in the polymer (eg, hydrogen atoms on carbon atoms adjacent to the functional bridging group) are abstracted by free radicals to form polymer radicals that are bonded to each other so that crosslinking between the polymer molecules occurs. Forms and cures.

  The content of the crosslinkable group in the binder polymer (content of unsaturated double bond capable of radical polymerization by iodine titration) is preferably 0.1 to 10.0 mmol, more preferably 1.0, per 1 g of the binder polymer. -7.0 mmol, most preferably 2.0-5.5 mmol. Within this range, good sensitivity and good storage stability can be obtained.

  In the present invention, in addition to the above binder polymer, the following hydrophilic binder polymers can also be used. The hydrophilic binder polymer is effective for improving the on-press developability by increasing the permeability of the fountain solution into the image recording layer, and for stabilizing the dispersion of the fine particle polymer and / or microcapsules described below.

  Examples of hydrophilic binder polymers include hydroxy groups, carboxyl groups, carboxylate groups, hydroxyethyl groups, polyoxyethyl groups, hydroxypropyl groups, polyoxypropyl groups, amino groups, aminoethyl groups, aminopropyl groups, ammonium groups. And those having a hydrophilic group such as an amide group, a carboxymethyl group, a sulfonic acid group, and a phosphoric acid group.

  Specific examples include gum arabic, casein, gelatin, starch derivatives, carboxymethylcellulose and its sodium salt, cellulose acetate, sodium alginate, vinyl acetate-maleic acid copolymers, styrene-maleic acid copolymers, polyacrylic acids and their salts, Polymethacrylic acids and their salts, homopolymers and copolymers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, homopolymers and copolymers of hydroxyethyl acrylate, homopolymers and copolymers of hydroxypropyl methacrylate, homopolymers and copolymers of hydroxypropyl acrylate, homopolymers of hydroxybutyl methacrylate Polymers and copolymers, homopolymers and copolymers of hydroxybutyl acrylate Polyethylene glycols, hydroxypropylene polymers, polyvinyl alcohols, hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, acrylamide homopolymers and copolymers having a hydrolysis degree of 60 mol% or more, preferably 80 mol% or more Methacrylamide homopolymers and polymers, N-methylolacrylamide homopolymers and copolymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, alcohol soluble nylon, polyether of 2,2-bis- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -propane and epichlorohydrin, etc. Is mentioned.

  The binder polymer preferably has a mass average molecular weight of 5,000 or more, more preferably 10,000 to 300,000, and a number average molecular weight of 1,000 or more, preferably 2000 to 250,000. More preferred. The polydispersity (mass average molecular weight / number average molecular weight) is preferably 1.1 to 10.

The content of the binder polymer is preferably 5 to 90% by mass, more preferably 5 to 80% by mass, and still more preferably 10 to 70% by mass with respect to the total solid content of the image recording layer. Good. Within this range, good image area strength and image formability can be obtained.
Moreover, it is preferable to use a polymeric compound and a binder polymer in the quantity used as 0.5 / 1-4/1 by mass ratio.

(Other image recording layer components)
The image recording layer of the present invention can further contain various additives as required. These will be described below.

(Surfactant)
In the present invention, it is preferable to use a surfactant in the image recording layer in order to promote on-press developability at the start of printing and to improve the coated surface state. Examples of the surfactant include nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and fluorosurfactants. Surfactant may be used independently and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.

  The nonionic surfactant that may be used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and conventionally known nonionic surfactants can be used. For example, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene polystyryl phenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers, glycerin fatty acid partial esters, sorbitan fatty acid partial esters, pentaerythritol Fatty acid partial esters, propylene glycol mono fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid partial esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid partial esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid partial esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyglycerin fatty acid partial esters, Polyoxyethylenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty acid partial esters, fatty acid diethanolamides, N N- bis-2-hydroxyalkylamines, polyoxyethylene alkylamines, triethanolamine fatty acid ester, trialkylamine oxide, polyethylene glycol, copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol.

  The anionic surfactant that may be used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and conventionally known anionic surfactants can be used. For example, fatty acid salts, abietic acid salts, hydroxyalkane sulfonates, alkane sulfonates, dialkyl sulfosuccinate esters, linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, branched alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, alkyl phenoxy poly Oxyethylene propyl sulfonates, polyoxyethylene alkyl sulfophenyl ether salts, N-methyl-N-oleyl taurine sodium salt, N-alkyl sulfosuccinic acid monoamide disodium salt, petroleum sulfonates, sulfated beef oil, fatty acid alkyl esters Sulfates, alkyl sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, fatty acid monoglyceride sulfates, polyoxyethylene alcohols Ruphenyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene styryl phenyl ether sulfates, alkyl phosphates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether phosphates, styrene / maleic anhydride Examples thereof include partial saponification products of polymers, partial saponification products of olefin / maleic anhydride copolymers, and naphthalene sulfonate formalin condensates.

The cationic surfactant that may be used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and conventionally known cationic surfactants can be used. Examples thereof include alkylamine salts, quaternary ammonium salts, polyoxyethylene alkylamine salts, and polyethylene polyamine derivatives.
The amphoteric surfactant that may be used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and conventionally known amphoteric surfactants can be used. Examples thereof include carboxybetaines, aminocarboxylic acids, sulfobetaines, aminosulfuric esters, and imidazolines.

  Of the above surfactants, the term “polyoxyethylene” can be read as “polyoxyalkylene” such as polyoxymethylene, polyoxypropylene, polyoxybutylene, etc. These surfactants can also be used.

  More preferable surfactants include fluorine-based surfactants containing a perfluoroalkyl group in the molecule. Examples of such fluorosurfactants include anionic types such as perfluoroalkyl carboxylates, perfluoroalkyl sulfonates, and perfluoroalkyl phosphates; amphoteric types such as perfluoroalkyl betaines; Cation type such as trimethylammonium salt; perfluoroalkylamine oxide, perfluoroalkylethylene oxide adduct, oligomer containing perfluoroalkyl group and hydrophilic group, oligomer containing perfluoroalkyl group and lipophilic group, perfluoroalkyl Nonionic types such as an oligomer containing a group, a hydrophilic group and a lipophilic group, and a urethane containing a perfluoroalkyl group and a lipophilic group. Also preferred are the fluorosurfactants described in JP-A-62-170950, JP-A-62-226143 and JP-A-60-168144.

Surfactant can be used individually or in combination of 2 or more types.
The content of the surfactant is preferably 0.001 to 10% by mass with respect to the total solid content of the image recording layer.

(Coloring agent)
In the present invention, various compounds other than these may be added as necessary. For example, a dye having a large absorption in the visible light region can be used as an image colorant. Specifically, Oil Yellow # 101, Oil Yellow # 103, Oil Pink # 312, Oil Green BG, Oil Blue BOS, Oil Blue # 603, Oil Black BY, Oil Black BS, Oil Black T-505 (orientated chemistry) Kogyo Co., Ltd.), Victoria Pure Blue, Crystal Violet (CI42555), Methyl Violet (CI42535), Ethyl Violet, Rhodamine B (CI145170B), Malachite Green (CI42000), Methylene Blue (CI522015), etc., and JP-A-62-2 And dyes described in Japanese Patent No. 293247. Also, pigments such as phthalocyanine pigments, azo pigments, carbon black, titanium oxide, etc. can be suitably used.

  These colorants are preferably added since it is easy to distinguish an image area from a non-image area after image formation. The amount added is preferably 0.01 to 10% by mass with respect to the total solid content of the image recording material.

(Bake-out agent)
In the image recording layer of the present invention, a compound that changes color by an acid or a radical can be added to produce a printout image. As such a compound, for example, various dyes such as diphenylmethane, triphenylmethane, thiazine, oxazine, xanthene, anthraquinone, iminoquinone, azo, and azomethine are effectively used.

  Specific examples include brilliant green, ethyl violet, methyl green, crystal violet, basic fuchsin, methyl violet 2B, quinaldine red, rose bengal, methanyl yellow, thymol sulfophthalein, xylenol blue, methyl orange, paramethyl red, Congo Fred, Benzopurpurin 4B, α-Naphthyl Red, Nile Blue 2B, Nile Blue A, Methyl Violet, Malachite Green, Parafuchsin, Victoria Pure Blue BOH [manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.], Oil Blue # 603 [Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.], Oil Pink # 312 [Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.], Oil Red 5B [Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.], Oil Scarlet # 308 [Orient Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.], Oil Red OG [Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.], Oil Red RR [Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.], Oil Green # 502 [Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.], Spiron Red BEH Special [made by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.], m-cresol purple, cresol red, rhodamine B, rhodamine 6G, sulforhodamine B, auramine, 4-p-diethylaminophenyliminonaphthoquinone, 2-carboxyanilino-4-p- Diethylaminophenyliminonaphthoquinone, 2-carboxystearylamino-4-pN, N-bis (hydroxyethyl) amino-phenyliminonaphthoquinone, 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-p-diethylaminophenylimino-5-pyrazolone, 1-β-naphthyl-4- - dyes and p of diethylamino phenyl imino-5-pyrazolone, p ', p "- hexamethyl triamnotriphenylmethane (leuco crystal violet), and a leuco dye such as Pergascript Blue SRB (manufactured by Ciba-Geigy).

  In addition to the above, a leuco dye known as a material for thermal paper or pressure-sensitive paper is also suitable. Specific examples include crystal violet lactone, malachite green lactone, benzoylleucomethylene blue, 2- (N-phenyl-N-methylamino) -6- (Np-tolyl-N-ethyl) amino-fluorane, 2-anilino. -3-methyl-6- (N-ethyl-p-toluidino) fluorane, 3,6-dimethoxyfluorane, 3- (N, N-diethylamino) -5-methyl-7- (N, N-dibenzylamino) ) -Fluorane, 3- (N-cyclohexyl-N-methylamino) -6-methyl-7-anilinofluorane, 3- (N, N-diethylamino) -6-methyl-7-anilinofluorane, 3 -(N, N-diethylamino) -6-methyl-7-xylidinofluorane, 3- (N, N-diethylamino) -6-methyl-7-chloro Fluorane, 3- (N, N-diethylamino) -6-methoxy-7-aminofluorane, 3- (N, N-diethylamino) -7- (4-chloroanilino) fluorane, 3- (N, N-diethylamino) -7-chlorofluorane, 3- (N, N-diethylamino) -7-benzylaminofluorane, 3- (N, N-diethylamino) -7,8-benzofluorane, 3- (N, N-dibutyl) Amino) -6-methyl-7-anilinofluorane, 3- (N, N-dibutylamino) -6-methyl-7-xylidinofluorane, 3-piperidino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluorane 3-pyrrolidino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluorane, 3,3-bis (1-ethyl-2-methylindol-3-yl) phthalide, 3,3-bis (1-n-butyl- -Methylindol-3-yl) phthalide, 3,3-bis (p-dimethylaminophenyl) -6-dimethylaminophthalide, 3- (4-diethylamino-2-ethoxyphenyl) -3- (1-ethyl- 2-methylindol-3-yl) -4-zaphthalide, 3- (4-diethylaminophenyl) -3- (1-ethyl-2-methylindol-3-yl) phthalide, and the like.

  A suitable addition amount of the dye that changes color by acid or radical is 0.01 to 15% by mass relative to the solid content of the image recording layer.

(Polymerization inhibitor)
In the image recording layer of the present invention, it is preferable to add a small amount of a thermal polymerization inhibitor in order to prevent unnecessary thermal polymerization of the radical polymerizable compound during the production or storage of the image recording layer.
Examples of the thermal polymerization inhibitor include hydroquinone, p-methoxyphenol, di-t-butyl-p-cresol, pyrogallol, t-butylcatechol, benzoquinone, 4,4'-thiobis (3-methyl-6-t- (Butylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis (4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), N-nitroso-N-phenylhydroxylamine aluminum salt are preferred.
The addition amount of the thermal polymerization inhibitor is preferably about 0.01 to about 5% by mass with respect to the total solid content of the image recording layer.

(Higher fatty acid derivatives, etc.)
In order to prevent polymerization inhibition by oxygen, a higher fatty acid derivative such as behenic acid or behenic acid amide is added to the image recording layer of the present invention, and the surface of the image recording layer is dried during the coating process. It may be unevenly distributed. The amount of the higher fatty acid derivative added is preferably about 0.1 to about 10% by mass with respect to the total solid content of the image recording layer.

(Plasticizer)
The image recording layer of the present invention may contain a plasticizer in order to improve the on-press developability.
Examples of the plasticizer include phthalates such as dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, octyl capryl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, ditridecyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, diallyl phthalate; Glycol esters such as glycol phthalate, ethyl phthalyl ethyl glycolate, methyl phthalyl ethyl glycolate, butyl phthalyl butyl glycolate, triethylene glycol dicaprylate; Phosphate esters such as tricresyl phosphate and triphenyl phosphate Diisobutyl adipate, dioctyl adipate, dimethyl sebacate, dibutyl sebacate, dioct Ruazereto, aliphatic dibasic acid esters such as dibutyl maleate; polyglycidyl methacrylate, triethyl citrate, glycerin triacetyl ester, butyl laurate in.
The plasticizer content is preferably about 30% by mass or less based on the total solid content of the image recording layer.

(Inorganic fine particles)
The image recording layer of the present invention may contain inorganic fine particles for the purpose of improving the strength of the cured film in the image area and improving the on-press developability of the non-image area.
As the inorganic fine particles, for example, silica, alumina, magnesium oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium carbonate, calcium alginate or a mixture thereof can be preferably mentioned. Even if they are not photothermally convertible, they can be used for strengthening the film, enhancing interfacial adhesion by surface roughening, and the like.
The inorganic fine particles preferably have an average particle size of 5 nm to 10 μm, and more preferably 0.5 to 3 μm. Within the above range, it is possible to form a non-image portion excellent in hydrophilicity that is stably dispersed in the image recording layer, sufficiently retains the film strength of the image recording layer, and hardly causes stains during printing. .
The inorganic fine particles as described above can be easily obtained as a commercial product such as a colloidal silica dispersion.
The content of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 20% by mass or less, and more preferably 10% by mass or less, based on the total solid content of the image recording layer.

(Low molecular hydrophilic compound)
The image recording layer of the present invention may contain a hydrophilic low molecular weight compound for improving on-press developability. Examples of the hydrophilic low-molecular compound include water-soluble organic compounds such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol and the like, and ether or ester derivatives thereof, glycerin, Polyhydroxys such as pentaerythritol, organic amines such as triethanolamine and diethanolamine monoethanolamine and salts thereof, organic sulfonic acids such as toluenesulfonic acid and benzenesulfonic acid and salts thereof, organic phosphonic acids such as phenylphosphonic acid and the like Examples thereof include organic carboxylic acids such as salts thereof, tartaric acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, gluconic acid and amino acids, and salts thereof.

(E) Fine particle polymer and / or microcapsule In the present invention, when the above component is contained in an image recording layer, the above component is preferably incorporated as a fine particle polymer or in a microcapsule, preferably hydrophilic. It can be dispersed in a binder. The components to be encapsulated can be in any proportion, partly in the form of fine particles or encapsulated in microcapsules, and the remaining components can be incorporated outside. More preferable components to be encapsulated in the microcapsule include (B) a polymerization initiator, (C) a polymerizable compound, (A) a light absorber, and a bake-out agent. By including the microcapsules, the on-press developability of the image recording layer is improved.

As a method for producing a microcapsule encapsulating a hydrophobic substance, a known method such as an interfacial polymerization method for forming a capsule membrane, an in-situ method, a complex coacervate method, or a phase separation method from an organic solvent system can be used. Specifically, for example, the method described in paragraph [0036] of JP-A-2001-293971 can be used.
For example, as a method of producing a microcapsule for microencapsulating the above-described components, a method using coacervation as described in US Pat. Nos. 2,800,487 and 2,800,498, each specification of US Pat. No. 3,287,154, A method by an interfacial polymerization method as described in JP-B-38-19574 and 42-446, a method by precipitation of a polymer as described in US Pat. Nos. 3,418,250 and 3,660,304, US Pat. No. 3,796,669 US Patent No. 3,914,511, US Pat. No. 3,914,511, US Pat. No. 3,914,511, US Pat. No. 4,087,376, US Pat. No. 4,089,802. In urea-formaldehyde or urine A method using a formaldehyde-resorcinol-based wall forming material, a method using a wall material such as melamine-formaldehyde resin and hydroxycellulose found in US Pat. No. 4,025,445, Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 36-9163 and 51-9079 In-situ method by monomer polymerization found in the publication, spraying method found in British Patent No. 930422, US Pat. No. 3,111,407, electrolytic dispersion seen in British Patent Nos. 952807 and 967074 Although there is a cooling method, it is not limited to these.

  A preferable microcapsule wall used in the present invention has a three-dimensional cross-linking and has a property of swelling with a solvent. From such a viewpoint, the wall material of the microcapsule is preferably polyurea, polyurethane, polyester, polycarbonate, polyamide, and a mixture thereof, and particularly preferably polyurea and polyurethane. Moreover, you may introduce | transduce into the microcapsule wall the compound which has crosslinkable functional groups, such as an ethylenically unsaturated bond which can be introduce | transduced into said binder polymer.

  The average particle size of the microcapsules is preferably 0.01 to 20 μm. 0.01-5.0 micrometers is further more preferable, and 0.10-3.0 micrometers is especially preferable. Within this range, good resolution can be obtained and the temporal stability of the image recording layer composition can be obtained.

  In the case of using a compound (including fine particle polymer) containing a thermoreactive functional group containing an epoxy group and / or a vinyloxy group as the hydrophobizing precursor, for example, a compound that generates a cation by heat (cation Among the generators, it is preferable to use compounds represented by the following formulas (I) to (IV).

In the above formula (I), W represents —C (—R ² ) ═ or —N═. Wherein, R ² represents a hydrocarbon group which may having 20 or less carbon atoms have a substituent. In the above formulas (I) to (IV), R ¹ , R ⁴ and R ⁵ each independently represents a hydrocarbon group having 20 or less carbon atoms which may have a substituent. R ³ represents a halogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group having 10 or less carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 10 or less carbon atoms. Ar ¹ and Ar ² each independently represents an aryl group having 20 or less carbon atoms, which may have a substituent. R ⁶ represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 20 or less carbon atoms which may have a substituent. n represents an integer of 0 to 4. R ¹ , R ² , R ⁴ and R ⁵ are each preferably a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 14 carbon atoms.

  Preferred specific embodiments of the cation generator represented by the above formulas (I) to (IV) are the same as the compounds described in paragraph numbers [0197] to [0222] of JP-A No. 2001-142230. Can be mentioned.

  Moreover, what has any structural formula of the iodonium salt represented by following formula (V)-(VII), a sulfonium salt, and a diazonium salt as a preferable example of the cation generator combined can also be mentioned suitably.

In the above formulas (V) to (VII), X ⁻ represents a halide ion, ClO ₄ ⁻ , PF ₆ ⁻ , SbF ₆ ⁻ , BF ₄ ⁻ or R ⁷ SO ₃ ⁻ . Here, R ⁷ represents a hydrocarbon group having 20 or less carbon atoms which may have a substituent. Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ each independently represents an aryl group having 20 or less carbon atoms, which may have a substituent. R ⁸ , R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ each independently represents a hydrocarbon group having 18 or less carbon atoms which may have a substituent. Examples of such onium salts include compounds described in paragraph numbers [0010] to [0035] of JP-A-10-39509.

  A trihalogenmethyl group-containing compound can also be used. Preferable trihalogenmethyl group-containing compounds include, for example, compound examples (A-1) to (A-9) described in paragraph [0080] of JP-A-2002-36745.

  In another preferred embodiment, the microcapsule encapsulating a fine particle polymer having a thermoreactive functional group and / or a compound having a thermoreactive functional group contains an ethylenically unsaturated bond as the thermoreactive functional group. In some cases, the thermal radical generator may be combined with an onium salt. Specific examples of the onium salt include compounds similar to the onium salts exemplified above as the cation generator.

  The content of these compounds is preferably 1 to 20% by mass and more preferably 3 to 10% by mass with respect to the total solid content of the heat-sensitive layer. If it is within the above range, good onset reaction reaction effect or reaction promoting effect can be obtained without impairing on-press developability.

  As the hydrophobizing precursor, it is particularly preferable to use self-water-dispersed fine particles whose periphery is hydrophilic and can be dispersed in water. Since the self-water-dispersible fine particles have self-water dispersibility, they are easily and uniformly dispersed in the heat-sensitive layer coating used for forming the heat-sensitive layer. Even in the heat-sensitive layer (dry film) after being dried, the particles exist uniformly dispersed in the hydrophilic resin matrix without aggregation. Therefore, high-definition printing is possible and the dry film is stable over time.

  As self-water-dispersible fine particles, (1) a raw material resin having a lipophilic resin structural portion and a structural portion having a hydrophilic group in the molecule is disclosed in JP-A-3-221137 and JP-A-5-66600. Resin fine particles obtained by dispersing in water without an emulsifier or protective colloid by a phase inversion emulsification method as described in publications, etc., (2) having a core / shell structure, the core part being a lipophilic resin, the shell part Suitable examples include fine particles composed of a resin composed of a hydrophilic component, and (3) microcapsule fine particles obtained by encapsulating a hydrophobic substance and protecting the surface with a hydrophilic wall material. A method for making the periphery of these fine particles hydrophilic is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include the same methods as described in paragraph numbers [0052] to [0056] of JP-A No. 2001-315552. .

When the fine particle polymer and / or microcapsule is dispersed in a matrix made of a hydrophilic resin, the on-press developability is improved and the film strength of the heat-sensitive layer itself is also improved. In addition, the hydrophilic resin can be crosslinked and cured as long as the on-press developability is not impaired.
As the hydrophilic resin, for example, those having a hydrophilic group such as a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, a sulfo group, a phosphono group, an amino group, a cationic group, a carbamoyl group, and a sulfamoyl group are preferable. Any of those shown may be used. For example, the collection of comprehensive technical data “The latest processing and modification technology and application development of water-soluble polymer and water-dispersible resin”, Management Development Center Publishing Department (published in 1981), Shinji Nagatomo “New Water-soluble Polymer Application and Market” "Natural, semi-synthetic or synthetic polymers described in a book such as" CMC Co., Ltd. "(1988).

Specifically, for example, starch and its derivatives, cellulose and its derivatives, alginate, pectin, carrageenan, gum arabic, pullulan, dextran, casein, gelatin, maleic acid copolymer, itaconic acid copolymer, crotonic acid copolymer Polymer, polyacrylic acid and its copolymer, polymethacrylic acid and its copolymer, polyvinylbenzenecarboxylic acid and its copolymer, polyvinylsulfonic acid and its copolymer, polyvinylbenzenesulfonic acid and its copolymer, Homopolymers and copolymers of 2-sulfoethyl methacrylate, homopolymers and copolymers of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, monomers having a hydroxy group (for example, 2-hydroxyethyl vinyl ether, 2-hydroxyethyl (Meth) acrylate, trimethylolpropane mono (meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol mono (meth) acrylate, polyoxyethylene (meth) acrylate, etc.) homopolymers and copolymers, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, hydrolysis Hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl butyral, monomers having an amide group (eg (meth) acrylamide, N-monomethylol (meth) acrylamide, 2- ( Urea) -N-ethylene acrylate, methacryloyl dicyandiamide, vinyl pyrrolidone, diacetone acrylamide, vinyl sulfonamide, etc.) homopolymer and copolymer , Homopolymers and copolymers of amino group-containing monomers (for example, 2- (N, N-dimethylamino) ethyl (meth) acrylate, 2- (N, N-diethylamino) ethyl (meth) acrylate, etc.), Polyethyleneimine, polyallylamine, water-soluble alkyd resin, formalin-based resin initial addition condensate and the like.

  In the hydrophilic resin used in the present invention, acidic groups such as carboxy group, sulfo group and phospho group contained in the molecule may form a salt (for example, Li salt, Na salt, K salt, etc.). Good.

  A hydrophilic resin is not limited to these, It may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  The content of the hydrophilic resin is preferably 2 to 40% by mass and more preferably 5 to 20% by mass with respect to the total solid content of the heat-sensitive layer. Within the above range, good on-press developability can be obtained, and good film strength can be obtained.

The hydrophilic resin may be used after being crosslinked and cured within a range that does not impair the on-press developability. Examples of the crosslinking agent that crosslinks and cures the hydrophilic resin include compounds that are usually used as crosslinking agents. Specifically, compounds described in Shinzo Yamashita, Tosuke Kaneko, “Cross-linking agent handbook” published by Taiseisha (1981), “Polymer Data Handbook, Basic Shrinkage” edited by Taiseisha (1986), etc. Can be used. Specific examples include the compounds described in paragraph No. [0053] of JP-A-2002-36745.
In addition, a crosslinking catalyst such as ammonium chloride, a silane coupling agent, a titanate coupling agent, or the like can be used in combination.

  In the thermosensitive layer, it is preferable to use a sol-gel conversion binder resin among the hydrophilic resins. Details will be described below. As the sol-gel conversion binder resin suitably used for the heat-sensitive layer, a bonding group coming out of the polyvalent element forms a network structure through an oxygen atom, and the polyvalent element is an unbonded hydroxy group, It is a polymer that also has an alkoxy group, etc., and has a resinous structure in which these are mixed, and is in a sol state when there are many hydroxy groups, alkoxy groups, etc. Along with this, there is a polymer body in which the network-like resin structure becomes strong.

  In addition to the property that the degree of hydrophilicity of the resin structure changes, the sol-gel conversion binder resin modifies the surface of the solid fine particles by binding some of the hydroxy groups to the solid fine particles, thereby changing the hydrophilicity. It also has work. Examples of the polyvalent element having a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group and the like that perform sol-gel conversion include aluminum, silicon, titanium, and zirconium. Among these, a sol-gel conversion system using a siloxane bond using silicon is preferable. Hereinafter, a sol-gel conversion system using a siloxane bond will be described. A sol-gel conversion system using aluminum, titanium, zirconium, or the like can be implemented by replacing silicon described below with each element.

  A sol-gel conversion system based on a siloxane bond is a system including a silane compound having at least one silanol group capable of sol-gel conversion.

  The inorganic hydrophilic binder resin formed by sol-gel conversion is preferably a resin having a siloxane bond and a silanol group. The thermosensitive layer is a sol system containing a silane compound having at least one silanol group, applied to a support, and after coating, hydrolysis and condensation of the silanol groups proceeds to form a siloxane skeleton structure, It is formed by the progress of gelation. The heat-sensitive layer formed by this sol-gel conversion system is described in JP-A-2001-293971 described above for the purpose of improving physical properties such as film strength and flexibility, and improving coating properties. An organic hydrophilic polymer, a crosslinking agent and the like can also be contained.

  Specific examples of the siloxane resin forming the gel structure and the silane compound having at least one silanol group include compounds described in paragraphs [0054] to [0057] of JP-A No. 2002-6504. Can be mentioned.

For the formation of the inorganic hydrophilic binder resin, a metal compound capable of forming a film by bonding to the resin during sol-gel conversion such as Ti, Zn, Sn, Zr, Al, etc. is used together with the silane compound. it can. Examples of such a metal compound include Ti (OR ′) ₄ , TiCl ₄ , Zn (OR ′) ₂ , Zn (CH ₃ COCHCOCH ₃ ) ₂ , Sn (OR ′) ₄ , Sn (CH ₃ COCHCOCH ₃ ). ₄ , Sn (OCOR ′) ₄ , SnCl ₄ , Zr (OR ′) ₄ , Zr (CH ₃ COCHCOCH ₃ ) ₄ , Al (OR ′) ₃ , Al (CH ₃ COCHCOCH ₃ ) _{3 and the} like.

  Furthermore, in order to promote the hydrolysis reaction and polycondensation reaction of the above silane compound and the above metal compound that can be used in combination therewith, conventionally known acidic catalysts such as inorganic acid, carbonic acid, carboxylic acid, etc., ammonia, organic amine It is preferable to use a basic catalyst such as a catalyst together. The catalyst can be used as it is or in a state in which the acid or basic compound is dissolved in a solvent such as water or alcohol (hereinafter referred to as an “acidic catalyst” using an acid, or using a basic compound). "Basic catalyst"). The concentration in the case of dissolving in a solvent is not particularly limited, but the higher the concentration, the faster the hydrolysis reaction and polycondensation reaction tend to be. However, when a basic catalyst having a high concentration is used, a precipitate may be generated in the sol solution. Therefore, the concentration of the basic catalyst (concentration in aqueous solution) is preferably 1 N or less.

  As described above, a heat-sensitive layer prepared by a sol-gel method (a heat-sensitive layer containing a sol-gel conversion binder resin as a hydrophilic resin) is preferable. The details of the sol-gel method are as follows: Sakuo Sakuhana, "Science of Sol-Gel Method", Agne Jofusha (published) (1988), Satoshi Hirashima It is described in detail in books such as the General Technology Center (published) (1992).

  The content of the hydrophilic resin is preferably 2 to 40% by mass and more preferably 5 to 20% by mass with respect to the total solid content of the heat-sensitive layer. Within the above range, good on-press developability and film strength can be obtained.

<Formation of image recording layer>
The image recording layer of the present invention is formed by preparing or applying a coating solution by dispersing or dissolving the necessary components described above in a solvent. Solvents used here include ethylene dichloride, cyclohexanone, methyl ethyl ketone, methanol, ethanol, propanol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, 2-methoxyethyl acetate, 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate, dimethoxy Examples include ethane, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, N, N-dimethylacetamide, N, N-dimethylformamide, tetramethylurea, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, γ-butyllactone, toluene, water, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this. These solvents are used alone or in combination. The solid content concentration of the coating solution is preferably 1 to 50% by mass.
The image recording layer of the present invention can also be formed by preparing a plurality of coating solutions in which the same or different components are dispersed or dissolved in the same or different solvents, and repeatedly applying and drying a plurality of times.

The coating amount (solid content) of the image recording layer on the support obtained after coating and drying varies depending on the use, but is generally preferably 0.3 to 5.0 g / m ² , 0.5 to 5.0 g. / M ² is more preferable. Within this range, good sensitivity and good film properties of the image recording layer can be obtained.
Various methods can be used as a coating method. Examples thereof include bar coater coating, spin coating, spray coating, curtain coating, dip coating, air knife coating, blade coating, and roll coating.

<Overcoat layer>
An overcoat layer can be provided on the heat-sensitive layer.
The overcoat layer used in the present invention is a water-soluble layer and can be easily removed during development or printing. The overcoat layer has releasability in order to prevent sticking when the plate materials are stacked and stored.

  The main component of the overcoat layer is a water-soluble organic or inorganic polymer compound, and a film formed by applying and drying an aqueous solution thereof has film-forming ability. Specific examples include water-soluble resins described in paragraph [0011] of JP-A No. 2001-162961, and celluloses described in JP-A No. 2002-19315.

<Back coat layer>
In this way, on the back surface of the plate material obtained by providing various image recording layers on the support, an organic polymer compound is used as necessary to prevent the image recording layer from being damaged. A coating layer (hereinafter referred to as “backcoat layer”) can be provided.
As the main component of the backcoat layer, at least one resin selected from the group consisting of a saturated copolymerized polyester resin, a phenoxy resin, a polyvinyl acetal resin, and a vinylidene chloride copolymer resin having a glass transition point of 20 ° C. or higher is preferably used. It is done.
The saturated copolyester resin is composed of a dicarboxylic acid unit and a diol unit. Dicarboxylic acid units include aromatic dicarboxylic acids such as phthalic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, tetrabromophthalic acid, tetrachlorophthalic acid; adipic acid, azelaic acid, succinic acid, oxalic acid, suberic acid, sebacic acid, malon Examples thereof include acids and saturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acids such as 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid.

  The backcoat layer further comprises dyes, pigments, etc. for coloring; silane coupling agents for improving adhesion to the support, diazo resins comprising diazonium salts, organic phosphonic acids, organic phosphoric acids, cationic polymers And the like; wax, higher fatty acid, higher fatty acid amide, silicone compound composed of dimethylsiloxane, modified dimethylsiloxane, polyethylene powder and the like, which are usually used as slipping agents, can be appropriately contained.

[On-machine drawing and on-machine development by printing equipment]
Next, an overall configuration of an example of a printing apparatus that can be used for carrying out the planographic printing method of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of an example of a printing apparatus that can be used to implement the planographic printing method of the present invention. A printing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an on-machine drawing / on-machine development type lithographic printing apparatus that forms a printing plate on a machine, and constitutes a CTC system, and basically includes an impression cylinder 12 and a blanket. A cylinder (rubber cylinder) 14, a plate cylinder 16, an ink form roller 18, an ink roller array 20, an ink metering supply unit 22, an image recording unit 24, a dampening solution supply unit 26, and a dust removing device 28. And the main controller 30.

  In such a printing apparatus 10, first, the on-press development type plate material Ps is supplied onto the plate cylinder 16. When a used printing plate is held on the plate cylinder 16, the printing plate is discharged in advance before supplying the plate material Ps.

  Next, the image recording means 24 records an image on the plate material Ps held by the plate cylinder 16 based on the image data. An image recording control device 64 and an image recording device 66 are included.

  The image recording control means 64 drives the image recording device 66 according to the image data supplied from the external image data supply source and the operation information sent from the main control device 30.

The image recording device 66 records (on-machine drawing) an image on the plate material Ps by a recording method corresponding to the image recording layer of the on-press development type plate material Ps. As the image recording device 66, a conventionally known device can be suitably used as long as the plate material Ps forms an image by heating. For example, a recording apparatus that directly heats imagewise using a thermal recording head or the like, imagewise exposure by light beam scanning such as an infrared laser modulated according to the recorded image, and image recording by heating by photothermal conversion Examples thereof include a recording apparatus, a recording apparatus that performs imagewise exposure by combining an exposure light source such as a xenon lamp and an infrared lamp and modulation by a spatial modulation element such as a liquid crystal shutter array, and records an image by heating by photothermal conversion.
Such image recording by the image recording device 66 is performed while rotating (ie, scanning) the plate cylinder 16 holding the unexposed plate material Ps at a predetermined speed corresponding to image recording. Thereby, an image can be recorded two-dimensionally on the plate material Ps. At the time of image recording, the ink form roller 18 and the blanket cylinder 14 may be separated from the plate cylinder 16. This separation may be performed by moving either the ink form roller 18 or the like and the plate cylinder 16.

  Further, the dampening water supply means 26 supplies dampening water to the plate material Ps on which the image is recorded. In this state, in the non-image portion of the image recording layer of the plate material Ps, a part of the components is dissolved and / or dispersed in the fountain solution, and the image recording layer is removed from the metal support. A part of the image recording layer is also removed by friction with a swim roller 60 described later.

Thereafter, ink is supplied to the plate material Ps. Ink is supplied to the printing plate Ps by the ink metering supply unit 22 that transfers the ink to the ink roller row 20, the ink roller row 20 transfers the ink to the ink form roller 18, and the ink form roller 18 is held on the plate cylinder 16. This is done by transferring ink to the finished plate Ps. In this state, ink gradually adheres to the image portion of the image recording layer of the plate material Ps. On the other hand, in the non-image portion of the plate material Ps, the image recording layer is removed by dampening water and / or ink. The portion where the image recording layer is removed and the surface of the metal support is exposed is hydrophilic and is therefore covered with the fountain solution. As a result, the ink does not adhere. For this reason, the adhesion (dirt) of ink in the non-image portion of the plate material Ps decreases with time.
On the other hand, generally, printing material M (for example, printing paper) is supplied almost simultaneously with the supply of ink to the plate material Ps, and the ink is transferred to the printing material M. Here, the ink on the printing material M is transferred by transferring the ink on the plate material Ps to the blanket cylinder 14, and the ink on the blanket cylinder 14 is conveyed while being sandwiched between the blanket cylinder 14 and the impression cylinder 12. This is performed by being transferred to the printing material M.

  In this way, while supplying dampening water and ink to the plate material Ps on which the image is recorded, the image recording layer of the plate material Ps is transferred while the ink on the plate material Ps is transferred to the printing material M. The non-image area is completely removed, that is, the plate material Ps is developed into a printing plate, and the ink attached only to the image area of the printing plate is transferred to the printing material M, and the non-image area is stained. No printed matter will be obtained.

  As the on-press development method, a method of supplying ink after first supplying dampening water to the plate material Ps was mentioned. However, the on-press development method depends on the type of the image recording layer of the plate material. Done. For example, a method of simultaneously supplying dampening water and ink, a method of supplying dampening water after first supplying ink, and a method of supplying an emulsified liquid of dampening water and ink are also used. Since the hydrophilicity of the non-image area of the plate material in the present invention is extremely high, the use of these methods makes the removal of dirt on the non-image area much worse than the above-described method of supplying the fountain solution first. Without making it possible, the adhesion of the ink to the image area can be greatly improved. Therefore, these methods are particularly effective when an image recording layer material having poor ink adhesion is used.

  In the above, the plate Ps on which the image is recorded is supplied with dampening water and / or ink and developed to form a printing plate (on-press development step), and the ink on the printing plate is covered. Although the printing process for transferring to the printing material is performed in parallel, the developing process and the printing process may be performed independently without being performed in parallel.

  In FIG. 1, a monochromatic printing device 10 is illustrated for the sake of clarity of the configuration of the device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration corresponding to a printing device for four full-color images. And various other multicolor printing apparatuses.

  Recently, high-power lasers such as semiconductor lasers that emit infrared light with a wavelength of 760 to 1200 nm and YAG lasers have become available at low cost. Therefore, as a method for producing a lithographic printing plate by scanning exposure that can be easily incorporated into digitization technology Therefore, a method using these high-power lasers as an image recording means has been promising.

  In the photothermal conversion method that converts light energy into heat energy using a high-power laser called heat mode recording described above, light energy is efficiently converted into heat energy by irradiating a large amount of light energy to the exposure area in a very short time. The heat is converted to cause a thermal change such as a chemical change, a phase change, a change in form or structure in the image recording layer, and the change is used for image recording. Accordingly, image information is input by light energy such as laser light, but image recording is performed in a state in which a reaction by heat energy is added in addition to light energy.

  The major advantages of the plate making method using heat mode recording are that the image recording layer is not exposed to light at a normal illuminance level such as indoor lighting, and that fixing of images recorded by high illuminance exposure is not essential. is there. That is, the lithographic printing plate precursor used for heat mode recording is not likely to be exposed to room light before exposure, and image fixing is not essential after exposure. Therefore, for example, if there is an on-press developable lithographic printing plate precursor that uses an image recording layer that is insolubilized or solubilized by exposure using a high-power laser, even after exposure, it may be exposed to indoor ambient light. A printing system in which the image is not affected is possible. That is, if heat mode recording is used, a lithographic printing plate precursor suitably used for on-press development can be obtained.

EXAMPLES The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.
1. Production of support A <aluminum plate>
Si: 0.06 mass%, Fe: 0.30 mass%, Cu: 0.025 mass%, Mn: 0.001 mass%, Mg: 0.001 mass%, Zn: 0.001 mass%, Ti: Containing 0.03% by mass, the balance is prepared using Al and an inevitable impurity aluminum alloy, and after performing the molten metal treatment and filtration, an ingot having a thickness of 500 mm and a width of 1200 mm is obtained by a DC casting method. Created. After the surface was shaved with a chamfering machine with an average thickness of 10 mm, the temperature was kept constant at 550 ° C. for about 5 hours, and when the temperature dropped to 400 ° C., rolling with a thickness of 2.7 mm using a hot rolling mill A board was used. Furthermore, after performing heat processing at 500 degreeC using a continuous annealing machine, after finishing by cold rolling to thickness 0.24mm and making this aluminum plate width 1030mm, it used for the surface treatment shown below.

(1) Production of Aluminum Support Using the above aluminum plate, the following (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) ), (I) and (j) were continuously performed. After each treatment and washing with water, the liquid was removed with a nip roller.

(A) Mechanical roughening treatment Using an apparatus as shown in FIG. 5, a suspension of abrasive (silica sand) having a specific gravity of 1.12 and water is supplied to the surface of the aluminum plate as a polishing slurry. However, a mechanical surface roughening treatment was performed with a rotating roller-like nylon brush. In FIG. 5, 1 is an aluminum plate, 2 and 4 are roller brushes, 3 is a polishing slurry, and 5, 6, 7 and 8 are support rollers. The average particle size of the abrasive was 25 μm, and the maximum particle size was 100 μm. The material of the nylon brush was 6 · 10 nylon, the hair length was 50 mm, and the hair diameter was 0.3 mm. The nylon brush was planted so as to be dense by making a hole in a stainless steel tube having a diameter of 300 mm. Three rotating brushes were used. The distance between the two support rollers (φ200 mm) at the bottom of the brush was 300 mm. The brush roller was pressed until the load of the drive motor for rotating the brush became 7 kW plus with respect to the load before the brush roller was pressed against the aluminum plate. The rotating direction of the brush was the same as the moving direction of the aluminum plate. The rotation speed of the brush was 200 rpm.

(B) Alkali etching treatment The aluminum plate obtained above was subjected to an etching treatment by spraying using an aqueous solution having a caustic soda concentration of 2.6 mass%, an aluminum ion concentration of 6.5 mass%, and a temperature of 70 ° C. / M ² dissolved. Then, water washing by spraying was performed.

(C) Desmut treatment temperature 30 ° C. A nitric acid concentration 1% by mass aqueous solution (containing 0.5% by mass of aluminum ions) was subjected to a desmut treatment by spraying, and then washed with water by spraying. The nitric acid aqueous solution used for the desmut treatment was a waste liquid from a step of performing an electrochemical surface roughening treatment using alternating current in a nitric acid aqueous solution.

(D) Electrochemical surface roughening treatment An electrochemical surface roughening treatment was performed continuously using an alternating voltage of 60 Hz. The electrolytic solution at this time was a nitric acid 9 g / L aqueous solution (containing 5 g / L aluminum ions and 0.007 mass% ammonium ions) at a temperature of 50 ° C. The AC power supply waveform is the waveform shown in FIG. 2, the time TP until the current value reaches the peak from zero is 0.8 msec, the duty ratio is 1: 1, the trapezoidal rectangular wave AC is used, with the carbon electrode as the counter electrode An electrochemical roughening treatment was performed. Ferrite was used for the auxiliary anode. The electrolytic layer shown in FIG. 3 was used. The current density was 30 A / dm ² at the peak current value, and the amount of electricity was 185 C / dm ^{2 as} the total amount of electricity when the aluminum plate was the anode. 5% of the current flowing from the power source was shunted to the auxiliary anode.
Then, water washing by spraying was performed.
(E) Alkaline etching treatment An aluminum plate was sprayed at a caustic soda concentration of 26% by mass and an aluminum ion concentration of 6.5% by mass at 60 ° C. to dissolve the aluminum plate by 0.3 g / m ² , The smut component mainly composed of aluminum hydroxide generated when electrochemical surface roughening was used was removed, and the edge portion of the generated pit was melted to smooth the edge portion. Then, water washing by spraying was performed.
(F) Desmutting treatment A 30% by weight sulfuric acid concentration aqueous solution (containing 4.5% by weight of aluminum ions) was subjected to a desmutting treatment by spraying, and then washed with water by spraying. The nitric acid aqueous solution used for the desmut was the waste liquid from the step of electrochemical surface roughening using alternating current in nitric acid aqueous solution.

(G) Electrochemical roughening treatment An electrochemical roughening treatment was carried out continuously using an alternating voltage of 60 Hz. The electrolytic solution at this time was a hydrochloric acid 7.5 g / L aqueous solution (containing 5 g / L of aluminum ions) at a temperature of 35 ° C. The AC power supply waveform was rectangular, and an electrochemical roughening treatment was performed using a carbon electrode as a counter electrode. Ferrite was used for the auxiliary anode. One electrolytic cell shown in FIG. 3 was used.
The current density was 25 A / dm ² at the peak current value, and the amount of electricity was 30 C / dm ^{2 as} the total amount of electricity when the aluminum plate was the anode.
Then, water washing by spraying was performed.

(H) Alkaline etching treatment An aluminum plate was spray-etched at 32 ° C. using an aqueous solution having a caustic soda concentration of 26% by mass and an aluminum ion concentration of 6.5% by mass to dissolve the aluminum plate by 0.1 g / m ² . The smut component mainly composed of aluminum hydroxide generated when the electrochemical surface roughening treatment was performed using alternating current was removed, and the edge portion of the generated pit was melted to smooth the edge portion. Then, water washing by spraying was performed.

(I) A desmut treatment was performed by spraying with a 25% by weight aqueous solution of sulfuric acid having a desaturation temperature of 60 ° C. (containing 0.5% by weight of aluminum ions), followed by washing with water by spraying.

(J) Anodizing treatment Anodizing device (first and second electrolysis section length 6 m each, first and second feeding section length 3 m each, first and second feeding electrodes) having a structure shown in FIG. Anodization treatment was carried out using each 2.4 m long. Sulfuric acid was used as the electrolytic solution supplied to the first and second electrolysis units. All electrolytes had a sulfuric acid concentration of 50 g / L (containing 0.5 mass% of aluminum ions) and a temperature of 20 ° C. Then, water washing by spraying was performed.
The amount of electricity fed to the first feeding unit and the amount of electricity fed to the second feeding unit were equal, and the current densities in the first electrolysis unit and the second electrolysis unit were both about 30 A / dm ² . . In the 2nd electric power feeding part, it electrically fed through the oxide film surface of 1.35 g / m < ² > produced | generated in the 1st electrolysis part. The final oxide film amount was 2.7 g / m ² .

In Comparative Examples 1 to 4 Examples 1 to 3 shown in Table 1 below, after anodic oxidation treatment, it was immersed in a treatment tank of 1 mass% aqueous solution of sodium silicate No. 3 at a temperature of 30 ° C. for 10 seconds. An alkali metal silicate treatment (silicate treatment) was performed. Then, after performing the hydrophilic treatment which performs the water washing by the spray using well water, the undercoat organic compound application | coating shown in Table 1 and post-processing were performed. In Comparative Examples 5 to 17 and Examples 4 to 16, the undercoat organic compound application and post-treatment shown in Table 1 were performed without performing the hydrophilization treatment.
2. Production of support B <Aluminum plate>
Si: 0.06 mass%, Fe: 0.30 mass%, Cu: 0.005 mass%, Mn: 0.001 mass%, Mg: 0.001 mass%, Zn: 0.001 mass%, Ti: It contains 0.03% by mass, and the balance is Al and an inevitable impurity aluminum alloy, which is rolled and heat-treated in the same manner as in Example 1 above, and is finished by cold rolling to a thickness of 0.24 mm. This aluminum plate has a width of 1030 mm. Then, each of the surface treatments (b), (c), (g), (h), (i) and (j) was performed in this order. After each treatment and washing with water, the liquid was removed with a nip roller. However, the electrolysis waveform is a sine wave, subjected to electrolysis as the total amount of electricity in one vessel per 200C / dm ² using four of the electrolytic cell shown in FIG. 3 is 800C / dm ² in (g) It was.

3. Production of Supports C-1 and C-2 On the same aluminum plate as the above support B, except that (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g ), (H), (i) and (j) were carried out under the surface treatment conditions of the support A to obtain a support C-1. Separately, on the same aluminum plate as the above-mentioned support B, but (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) under the surface treatment conditions of the support A as the surface treatment , (H), (i), (j)
(K) Sealing treatment 1 g / L of sodium zirconate fluoride (Na ₂ ZrF ₆ ) and 3 g / L of sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate (NaH ₂ PO ₄ .2H ₂ O) The containing aqueous solution (liquid temperature 75 ± 1 ° C.) was used as a sealing treatment liquid, and this sealing treatment liquid was sprayed onto an aluminum plate for 10 seconds to obtain a support C-2. With each of the supports C-1 and C-2, the liquid was removed with a nip roller after each treatment and water washing.

4). Production of planographic printing plate precursor using support A 4-1. Application of Undercoat Layer The following organic compound coating solution (1) was prepared and applied to the support obtained above to provide an undercoat organic compound layer shown in Table 1. The organic compound used was Compound C (mass average molecular weight Mw = 10,000) or Compound E (Mw = 50000). The surface carbon atom concentration by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is
Except for the case of no undercoating, both the examples and comparative examples were in the range of 50 to 65% under the measurement conditions shown below.

Organic compound layer coating solution (1)
・ Organic compound C or E 0.017 g
・ Methanol 9.00 g
・ Water 1.00g

  X-ray photoelectron spectrometer: ESCA PHI Quantum 2000 manufactured by ULVAC-PHI, Inc .: X-ray source: Al-Kα (HP-mode, 200 μm, 100 W, 20 kV) Pass energy: 58, 70 eV: Analysis area: 200 μm × 1400 μm: Measurement Spectrum: C1s, O1s, Al2p and Si2p: Neutralization conditions: Ar (10 eV) and Neut (20 μm)

4-2. Post-treatment The post-treatment liquid shown in Table 1 was dissolved in a solvent with the composition shown below, and an aluminum plate coated with an organic compound layer and dried was immersed in the post-treatment liquid for 10 seconds and then washed with water.

The post-treatment liquid was adjusted according to the formulation shown below.
・ 0.1 g of compounds shown in Table 1
・ Water 99.9g

In addition, AM540 of Table 1 is the following compound C-1, and is a phosphate ester monomer (Brand name: Phosmer PE, Unichemical Corporation make), and is molecular weight 305-349.

4-3. Preparation of lithographic printing plate precursor (1) [microcapsule type plate material IR] Application of image recording layer (1) obtained by mixing microcapsule liquid (1) with the following recording layer liquid (1) immediately before application and stirring. The solution is bar-coated on a base material coated with an undercoat organic compound and then treated, and oven-dried at 100 ° C. for 60 seconds to form a microcapsule type image recording layer having a dry coating amount of 1.0 g / m ² for comparison. The planographic printing plate precursors (1) of Examples 1 to 12 and Examples 1 to 11 were obtained. The dry coating amount was adjusted by changing the bar.

Recording layer liquid (1)
・ The following binder polymer (1) 0.162 g
・ The following polymerization initiator (1) 0.100 g
・ The following infrared absorber (1) 0.020 g
・ Polymerizable compound, Aronix M-215 (manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.) 0.385 g
-0.044 g of the following fluorosurfactant (1)
・ Methyl ethyl ketone 1.091g
・ 1-methoxy-2-propanol 8.609g

Microcapsule liquid (1)
・ Microcapsule synthesized as follows (1) 2.640 g
・ Water 2.425g

Synthesis of Microcapsule (1) As oil phase components, trimethylolpropane and xylene diisocyanate adduct (Mitsui Takeda Chemical Co., Ltd., Takenate D-110N, 75% ethyl acetate solution) 10 g, Aronix M-215 (Toho) Synthesis Co., Ltd. (6.00 g) and Pionein A-41C (Takemoto Yushi Co., Ltd.) 0.1 g were dissolved in ethyl acetate 16.67 g. As an aqueous phase component, 37.5 g of a 4 mass% aqueous solution of PVA-205 was prepared. The oil phase component and the aqueous phase component were mixed and emulsified for 10 minutes at 12000 rpm using a homogenizer. The obtained emulsion was added to 25 g of distilled water, stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes, and then stirred at 40 ° C. for 3 hours. The microcapsule solution thus obtained was diluted with distilled water so that the solid content concentration was 15% by mass. The average particle size was 0.2 μm.

4-4. Preparation of lithographic printing plate precursor (2) [plate material VR] In the same manner as described above, an undercoat organic compound layer shown in Table 1 was applied to support A and subjected to post-treatment. An image recording layer (2) coating solution having the following composition was bar-coated on these upper layers, followed by oven drying at 70 ° C. for 60 seconds to form an image recording layer (2) having a dry coating amount of 1.0 g / m ^2. Then, a protective layer coating solution (1) having the following composition was coated thereon so that the dry coating mass was 0.5 g / m ^2, and dried at 120 ° C. for 1 minute. Examples 12 to 16 and Comparative Examples 13 to 17 lithographic printing plate precursors (2) were obtained.

<Image recording layer (2) coating solution>
・ The following polymerization initiator (2) 0.2 g
・ The following binder polymer (2) (average molecular weight 80,000) 6.0 g
・ Polymerizable compound 12.4g
Isocyanuric acid EO-modified triacrylate (M-315 manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.)
・ Royco Crystal Violet 3.0g
・ Thermal polymerization inhibitor 0.1g
N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine aluminum salt 0.1 g of tetraethylammonium chloride
・ 0.1 g of the following fluorosurfactant (1)
・ Methyl ethyl ketone 70.0g

<Protective layer coating solution (1)>
・ Polyacrylic acid 2.2g
・ Polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether 0.04g
-Polyether-modified silicone oil (X-22-812, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Silicone) 0.04g
・ Water 42g

  Comparative Examples 1 to 12 shown in Table 1 were lithographic printing plate precursors as in Examples 1 to 11 except that the conditions of the present invention were not used.

6). Exposure and Printing of Lithographic Printing Plate Precursor The obtained lithographic printing plate precursor was exposed under the conditions of an output of 9 W, an outer drum rotating speed of 210 rpm, and a resolution of 2400 dpi using a Creo Trendsetter 3244VX equipped with a water-cooled 40 W infrared semiconductor laser. The exposure image includes a thin line chart. Next, on-press developability, printing durability and neglectable stain resistance were evaluated by the following methods.

(A) On-press developability The planographic printing original plates of Examples and Comparative Examples shown in Table 1 were exposed under the above conditions, and the exposed original plate was attached to the cylinder of a printing machine SOR-M manufactured by Heidelberg without developing the exposed original plate. It was. Using dampening water (IF102 (etch solution manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) / Water = 4/96 (volume ratio)) and TRANS-G (N) black ink (manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.) Water and ink were supplied. Thereafter, 100 sheets were printed at a printing speed of 6000 sheets per hour. The on-press development of the unexposed part of the image recording layer is completed on the printing machine, and the number of printing papers required until the ink is not transferred to the printing paper and whether the non-image part is slightly stained can be seen. No., whether or not the halftone dots in the image area looked clear was visually observed, and these were comprehensively evaluated to give a score evaluation of 1 to 10 levels and shown in Table 1 as on-press developability.
Evaluation: 1: The number of printing sheets is maximum, the stain on the non-image area is recognized, and the halftone dot of the image area is unclear.
5: The number of printing sheets is medium, the non-image area is slightly stained, and the halftone dot of the image area is somewhat clear.
10: The number of printing paper sheets is minimum, the non-image area is not stained at all, and the halftone dots of the image area are clearly visible.
(B) Printing durability The lithographic printing plate precursors of Examples and Comparative Examples shown in Table 1 were exposed under the above conditions, developed on the machine as described above, and gradually the image recording layer was worn as the number of printed sheets was increased. However, since the ink acceptability was lowered, the ink density in the printing paper was lowered. In the image recording layer of Example 4, when the ink density (reflection density) was reduced by 0.1 from the start of printing, the number of printed sheets was taken as 100%, and the relative value was evaluated. The higher the percentage, the greater the number of printed sheets. The results are shown in Table 1.

(C) Unstained stain resistance Separately, after printing 10,000 sheets, the printing machine is stopped, the printing plate is left on the plate cylinder for 1 hour at room temperature, and when printing is resumed, good printed matter without stains. The number of printing papers required until the value was obtained was measured as the number of neglected sheets. At the same time, the amount of ink transferred to the non-image area of the printing paper was visually evaluated, and the degree of stain was observed. The higher the score, the harder the printing plate becomes and the better the stain resistance.

In Comparative Example 1, since there is neither an undercoat organic compound layer nor a post-treatment layer, the obtained lithographic printing plate precursor is inferior in on-press developability, neglectable stain resistance, and printing durability. In Comparative Example 2, since the undercoat organic compound layer is not post-treated, the printing durability is high, but it is inferior in on-press development property and neglectable stain resistance. Comparative Examples 3 and 4 have an undercoat organic compound layer. However, since the post-treatment is not an aqueous solution containing a specific compound, the printing durability is high, but the on-press development property and the neglectable stain resistance are poor. In Comparative Example 5, since there are no hydrophilization treatment, undercoat organic compound layer, and post-treatment layer, the on-press development property, the stain resistance, and the printing durability are inferior. In Comparative Example 6, there is an undercoat organic compound layer, but the other conditions are outside the scope of the present invention, so that the printing durability is excellent, but the on-press development property and the neglectable stain resistance are poor. In Comparative Examples 7, 8, and 9, the post-treatment is outside the scope of the present invention and excellent in printing durability, but is inferior in on-press development property and neglected stain resistance.
The lithographic printing plate precursors of Examples 1 to 16 of the present invention have excellent on-press developability, excellent printing durability, and excellent stain resistance.

7). Preparation and Evaluation of Lithographic Printing Plate Precursor Using Supports B, C-1, and C-2 As for Supports B, C-1, and C-2, undercoat organic compounds under the same conditions as in Support A Was applied and post-processing was performed to form an image recording layer to prepare a lithographic printing plate precursor. Any of the lithographic printing plate precursors had excellent on-press developability within the scope of the present invention, excellent printing durability, and excellent stain resistance.

It is a conceptual diagram of an example of the printing apparatus which can be used for implementation of the planographic printing method of this invention. It is a graph which shows an example of the alternating waveform current waveform figure used for the electrochemical roughening process in preparation of the metal support body of the plate material used for this invention. It is a side view which shows an example of the radial type cell in the electrochemical roughening process using alternating current in preparation of the metal support body of the plate material used for this invention. It is the schematic of the anodizing apparatus used for the anodizing process in preparation of the metal support body of the plate material used for this invention. It is a side view which shows the concept of the process of the brush graining used for the mechanical roughening process in preparation of the metal support body of the plate material used for this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Aluminum plate 2, 4 Roller-like brush 3 Polishing slurry liquid 5, 6, 7, 8 Support roller 10 Printing apparatus 12 Impression cylinder 14 Blanket cylinder 16 Plate cylinder 18 Ink roller 20 Ink roller row 22 Ink metering supply part 24 Image recording Means 26 Dampening water supply means 28 Dust removal device 30 Main controller 60 Swim-on roller 64 Image recording controller 66 Image recording device 311 Aluminum plate 312 Radial drum rollers 313a and 313b Main electrode 314 Electrolytic treatment liquid 315 Electrolyte supply port 316 Slit 317 Electrolyte passage 318 Auxiliary anode 319 a, 319 b Thyristor 320 AC power source 340 Main electrolytic cell 350 Auxiliary anode tank 410 Anodizing device 412 Power supply tank 414 Electrolytic treatment tank 416 Aluminum plate 418, 426 Electrolyte 420 Power supply electrode 422, 428 Roller 42 4 Nip roller 430 Electrolytic electrode 432 Tank wall 434 DC power supply

Claims (5)

On a lithographic printing plate support obtained by anodizing an aluminum plate,
Having an organic compound layer,
Treating the organic compound layer with an aqueous solution containing an organic acid or alkali metal ion;
A lithographic printing plate precursor having an image recording layer developable with a fountain solution and / or ink thereon.   The lithographic printing plate precursor according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the organic compound after being coated on the anodized surface is 50% or more in terms of surface carbon atom concentration (atm%).   The lithographic printing plate precursor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image recording layer is recordable in an image-like manner by a laser beam that emits light having a wavelength in the range of 250 nm to 420 nm.   The lithographic printing plate precursor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image recording layer is recordable in an image-like manner by irradiation with an infrared laser. The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the image recording layer has a fine particle polymer and / or a microcapsule.

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