JP2010231107A - Photosensitive resin composition, flexographic printing plate, and method for manufacturing the flexographic printing plate - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photosensitive resin composition attaining a discoloration suppressing effect of a urethane photosensitive resin cured product, to provide a flexographic printing plate containing the cured product, and to provide a method for manufacturing the flexographic printing plate. <P>SOLUTION: The photosensitive resin composition including 100 pts.mass polyurethane prepolymer having ethylenic unsaturated groups and 10 to 150 pts.mass ethylenic unsaturated compound contains 0.01 to10 mass% photopolymerization initiator and ≥0.005 mass% nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group to sum total mass of the polyurethane prepolymer having the ethylenic unsaturated groups and the ethylenic unsaturated compound. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition, a flexographic printing plate, and a method for producing a flexographic printing plate.

A photosensitive resin printing plate generally used as a flexographic printing plate is formed as follows. First, an actinic ray is irradiated to a solid or liquid photosensitive resin composition to be a plate material, and only the photosensitive layer in the relief portion is cured by a radical polymerization reaction (exposure process). Next, the uncured resin other than the relief portion is dissolved and removed with a predetermined cleaning solution (developer), or is swelled and dispersed and mechanically removed (developing step).
The formation method of the photosensitive resin printing plate by the said exposure process and image development process is a method of making a hardened part appear on a plate surface as a relief. This forming method is preferably used because a fine relief can be formed in a short time.

  Among the forming methods, the method using the liquid photosensitive resin composition can cope with a short delivery time because the time required for producing the printing plate is short. In addition, this method can reduce the production cost because the uncured resin can be recovered and reused.

The flexographic printing plate is required to have flexibility to improve ink transfer to a printing medium and mechanical strength that does not cause relief destruction of the printing plate during printing or handling.
From these viewpoints, a liquid photosensitive resin composition mainly composed of a polyurethane prepolymer is widely used as a flexographic printing plate.
However, in the flexographic printing plate using the photosensitive resin composition containing the polyurethane prepolymer as a main component, the printing plate relief is yellowed, and there are limitations on the color tone selection for imparting design properties.

In recent years, in order to cope with an increase in the size of flexographic printing plates, a technique has been developed in which two relief sections are bonded using an adhesive or a photosensitive resin composition, and the reliefs are integrated by ultraviolet irradiation.
However, when the relief is integrated by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, there is a problem in that the color of the relief differs between the region integrated with ultraviolet irradiation for bonding and other regions.

In order to prevent yellowing of a photosensitive resin composition containing a polyurethane prepolymer as a main component, it is common to mix a compound (light absorbing compound) having light absorption in the wavelength region of ultraviolet visible light.
However, when a light-absorbing compound is mixed with the photosensitive resin composition, the photosensitive resin has a great influence on the decrease in photosensitivity. In flexographic printing applications requiring a photocuring reaction with a thickness of several millimeters, not only is the exposure time extended, but there is a problem that the relief shape cannot be controlled and the fine relief cannot be reproduced.

Patent Document 1 discloses a photosensitive resin composition containing a polyurethane prepolymer comprising an aliphatic diisocyanate and a polyether polyol and a specific photoinitiator.
According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a cured product obtained by subjecting the photosensitive resin composition to exposure treatment does not use a specific photoinitiator, or a polyurethane prepolymer using an aromatic diisocyanate. It is disclosed that the yellow change in ultraviolet irradiation and sunlight exposure is reduced with respect to those using the above.

In Patent Document 2, the polyether urethane-based liquid photosensitive resin composition is exposed to light, then the uncured resin is removed with an aqueous cleaning solution containing an ultraviolet absorption stabilizer, and further active in a state immersed in water. A method for producing a printing plate by irradiating light rays and sterilizing radiation is disclosed.
According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, yellowing is reduced in white light emitted from an ultraviolet light or a halogen lamp with respect to a printing plate obtained by processing with an aqueous cleaning liquid not containing an ultraviolet absorption stabilizer. It is disclosed.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0099119 British Patent Application No. 2433052

  However, even if the photosensitive resin composition disclosed in Patent Document 1 or the method for producing a printing plate disclosed in Patent Document 2 is used, the discoloration suppressing effect is not sufficient.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a photosensitive resin composition that achieves the effect of suppressing discoloration of a urethane-based photosensitive resin cured product, a flexographic printing plate containing the cured product, and a method for producing a flexographic printing plate. There is.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve such problems, the present inventors have surprisingly found that a photosensitive resin composition containing a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group solves the above problems. The present invention has been found and the present invention has been completed.

That is, this invention provides the manufacturing method of the following photosensitive resin composition, a flexographic printing plate, and a flexographic printing plate.
[1]
100 parts by mass of a polyurethane prepolymer having an ethylenically unsaturated group;
And 10 to 150 parts by mass of an ethylenically unsaturated compound,
0.01-10% by mass of a photopolymerization initiator and 0.005% by mass or more of a hydroxyphenyl group based on the total mass of the polyurethane prepolymer having an ethylenically unsaturated group and the ethylenically unsaturated compound. A non-nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound.
[2]
The photosensitive resin composition according to [1], wherein the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound is a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic aromatic compound.
[3]
The photosensitive resin composition according to [1] or [2], wherein the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound is a nitrogen-containing condensed heteroaromatic compound containing both a benzene ring and a nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic ring.
[4]
The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group is at least one selected from the group consisting of imidazole, benzimidazole, and derivatives thereof, according to any one of [1] to [3]. Photosensitive resin composition.
[5]
The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group is selected from the group consisting of 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,3, -benzotriazole, and derivatives thereof. The photosensitive resin composition according to any one of [1] to [3], which is at least one kind.
[6]
The said polyurethane prepolymer is a photosensitive resin composition in any one of [1]-[5] containing a polyether-type polyurethane prepolymer or a polyether polyester-type polyurethane prepolymer.
[7]
The polyurethane prepolymer is
A polyether polyol or a polyol mixture comprising a polyether polyol and a polyester polyol;
The photosensitive resin composition in any one of [1]-[6] containing the prepolymer obtained by making a (meth) acrylating agent react with the reaction product of polyisocyanate.
[8]
The photosensitive resin composition according to [7], wherein the polyisocyanate contains an aromatic polyisocyanate.
[9]
The photosensitive resin composition according to any one of [1] to [8], further comprising a thermal polymerization stabilizer.
[10]
The photosensitive resin composition according to any one of [1] to [9], further comprising a hindered amine light stabilizer.
[11]
[1] A flexographic printing plate containing a cured product of the photosensitive resin composition according to any one of [10].
[12]
[1] to [10] a cured part forming step of exposing the surface of a molded body formed from the photosensitive resin composition according to any one of the above, and forming a cured part on the surface of the molded body;
A development step of developing the cured portion with a cleaning liquid;
An actinic ray irradiation step of irradiating the surface of the cured site developed with an actinic ray;
A method for producing a flexographic printing plate comprising

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can provide the manufacturing method of the photosensitive resin composition which has the mechanical property calculated | required by flexographic printing, and implement | achieves the discoloration suppression by light irradiation, a flexographic printing plate, and a flexographic printing plate.

  Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter abbreviated as “the present embodiment”) will be described in detail. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment, It can implement by changing variously within the range of the summary.

[Photosensitive resin composition]
The photosensitive resin composition of the present embodiment is
(A) 100 parts by mass of a polyurethane prepolymer having an ethylenically unsaturated group;
(B) 10 to 150 parts by mass of an ethylenically unsaturated compound,
0.01-10 mass% (c) photoinitiator and 0.005 mass% or more (d) with respect to the total mass of the said polyurethane prepolymer which has an ethylenically unsaturated group, and the said ethylenically unsaturated compound. And a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group.
The photosensitive resin composition is preferably a liquid photosensitive resin composition that is liquid.
When the photosensitive resin composition is in a liquid state, the uncured resin can be recovered and reused, and the advantages of productivity and work environment such as development with an aqueous cleaning solution can be obtained.

The viscosity at 20 ° C. of the photosensitive resin composition is preferably 10 to 500 Pa · s, more preferably 20 to 300 Pa · s, from the viewpoint of expressing excellent thickness accuracy when a flexographic printing plate is used.
In this embodiment, “viscosity at 20 ° C.” is measured using a commercially available viscometer, for example, a B-type viscometer type B8H (manufactured by Tokyo Keiki Co., Ltd.) as described in the following examples. Is the value to be

(A) A polyurethane prepolymer having an ethylenically unsaturated group (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “polyurethane prepolymer”) has a plurality of urethane bonds in the molecule and has an ethylenically unsaturated group. In addition, it is a compound that can be combined with other compounds by a polymerization reaction.
(A) A polyurethane prepolymer is used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types.

(A) As a manufacturing method of a polyurethane prepolymer, the following (i) and the method of (ii) etc. are mentioned, for example.
(I) A polyol and a polyisocyanate are reacted to form a polyurethane having an isocyanate group at the terminal at an arbitrary molecular weight, and then the polyurethane, and an active hydrogen and an ethylenically unsaturated group are contained in the molecule. A method of reacting with a compound.
(Ii) A polyol and a polyisocyanate are reacted to form a polyurethane having a hydroxyl group at an end with an arbitrary molecular weight, and then the polyurethane and a compound having an isocyanate group and an ethylenically unsaturated group in the molecule To react.

Examples of the polyol include polyether polyol, polyester polyol, polyether polyester copolymer polyol, and hydrogenated polybutadiene polyol.
A polyol is used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types.

Examples of the polyether polyol include polyoxyethylene glycol, polyoxypropylene glycol, polyoxytetramethylene glycol, poly1,2-butylene glycol, polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene random copolymer, polyoxyethylene / polyoxy Examples include a propylene block copolymer, a polyoxyethylene / polyoxytetramethylene random copolymer, and a polyoxyethylene / polyoxytetramethylene block copolymer.
A polyether polyol is used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types.

Examples of the polyester polyol include condensed polyester polyols, that is, polyols having repeating polyester segments obtained by a polycondensation reaction between a glycol compound and a dicarboxylic acid compound and a ring-opening reaction of a lactone compound.
Examples of the condensed polyester polyol include a case where the dicarboxylic acid compound is adipic acid. Poly (ethylene glycol adipate) diol, poly (diethylene glycol adipate) diol, poly (propylene glycol adipate) diol, poly (1,4-butane) Glycol adipate) diol, poly (1,6-hexaneglycol adipate) diol, poly (2-methylpropaneglycol adipate) diol, poly (3-methyl-1,5-pentaneglycol adipate) diol, poly (neopentyl glycol) Adipate diols such as adipate) diol, poly (1,9-nonane glycol adipate) diol, poly (2-methyloctane glycol adipate) diol, etc. .

  Examples of the dicarboxylic acid compound constituting the polyester segment include succinic acid, glutaric acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, maleic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and 1,5-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid in addition to adipic acid. It is done.

A diol compound such as a glycol compound that constitutes a polyester segment and a dicarboxylic acid compound are preferably condensed using one kind each, but either one or both compounds are used in combination of two or more kinds. It is also possible to form a polyester segment by mixing and polycondensing at an arbitrary ratio.
As the polyester polyol, in addition to the condensed polyester polyol, a lactone polyester polyol, a polycarbonate diol, or the like can be used.
Examples of the lactone polyester polyol include polycaprolactone diol and poly (β-methyl-δ-valerolactone) diol.
Examples of the polycarbonate diol include aliphatic polycarbonate diols such as 4,6-polyalkylene carbonate diol, 8,9-polyalkylene carbonate diol, and 5,6-polyalkylene carbonate diol. Polyester polyol is used alone or in combination. Two or more types are used in combination.

The polyether polyester copolymer polyol is a copolymer having a structure in which a repeating unit that forms the molecular chain of the above-described polyether polyol and a repeating unit that forms the molecular chain of the above-described polyester polyol are block-bonded or randomly bonded. Examples include coalescence.
A polyether polyester copolymer polyol is used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types.

Hydrogenated polybutadiene polyols include poly (1,4-butanediene) glycol and its hydrogenated mixture, poly (1,2-butadiene) glycol and its hydrogenated mixture, poly (1,2- / 1, 4-Butadiene) glycol and a mixture of its water additives.
Hydrogenated polybutadiene polyols are used singly or in combination of two or more.

Examples of the polyisocyanate include tolylene diisocyanate, xylylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanate, cyclohexane diisocyanate, dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate, and norbornene diisocyanate.
Polyisocyanate is used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types.
From the viewpoint of realizing good mechanical properties and water resistance, the photocured product obtained from the photosensitive resin composition is preferably an aromatic polyisocyanate among the above polyisocyanates, and also from an economical viewpoint. More preferably, it is tolylene diisocyanate.

  Examples of the compound having an active hydrogen and an ethylenically unsaturated group in the molecule include compounds having a hydroxy group and an ethylenically unsaturated group as the active hydrogen in the molecule, such as hydroxypropyl (meth) acrylate, Examples include hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, poly (oxypropylene) glycol mono (meth) acrylate, polyethylene glycol mono (meth) acrylate, glycerin mono (meth) acrylate, and glycerin di (meth) acrylate.

  Examples of the compound having an isocyanate group and an ethylenically unsaturated group in the molecule include (meth) acryloyloxyethyl isocyanate.

In the present embodiment, the “(meth) acrylating agent” is a compound capable of reacting with a molecular end of polyurethane and adding a (meth) acrylic group as described above, and has active hydrogen in the molecule. And a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group and a compound having an isocyanate group and an ethylenically unsaturated group in the molecule.
In the present embodiment, “(meth) acrylate” is a concept including “methacrylate” and “acrylate”, and similarly, “(meth) acryloyl” refers to “acryloyl” and “methacryloyl”, “( “Meth) acryl” is a concept including “acryl” and “methacryl”.

  In this embodiment, a polyurethane prepolymer having a polyol structure constituted by polyether segments is referred to as “polyether-based polyurethane prepolymer”, and a polyurethane prepolymer constituted by polyester is referred to as “polyester-based polyurethane prepolymer”. A polyurethane prepolymer composed of an ether segment and a polyester segment may be referred to as a “polyether polyester-based polyurethane prepolymer”.

As the (a) polyurethane prepolymer, a polyether polyester-based polyurethane prepolymer is preferable from the viewpoint of expressing high flexibility and durability as a printing plate relief.
As a polyether polyester-based polyurethane prepolymer, a polyurethane which is a reaction product of a polyol mixture containing a polyether polyol and a polyester polyol and a polyisocyanate is obtained by reacting a (meth) acrylating agent, Polyurethane mixtures, which are obtained by reacting a (meth) acrylating agent with polyurethane, which is a reaction product of a polyether polyester copolymer polyol and polyisocyanate, include a polyol mixture containing a polyether polyol and a polyester polyol. What is obtained by making a (meth) acrylating agent react with the polyurethane which is a reaction product of polyisocyanate and polyisocyanate is preferable. This polyurethane prepolymer is preferable from the viewpoint of developability with an aqueous cleaning solution, and also from the viewpoint of easily controlling the molecular weight to a predetermined molecular weight.

From the viewpoint of developing good developability with an aqueous cleaning solution, the (a) polyurethane prepolymer preferably has a polyoxyethylene segment in a proportion of 5 to 25 mass%, more preferably 10 to 20 mass%.
Setting the ratio of the polyoxyethylene segment to 5% by mass or more can contribute to ensuring the dispersibility of the photosensitive resin composition in the aqueous cleaning liquid.
When the ratio of the polyoxyethylene segment is 25% by mass or less, the swellability of the cured product of the photosensitive resin composition with respect to the printing ink (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “resin cured product”) is a constant value. This can be suppressed to the following, and can contribute to suppressing the swelling of the relief during printing and the deterioration of the printing quality.

(A) The number average molecular weight of a polyurethane prepolymer becomes like this. Preferably it is 5000-70000, More preferably, it is 5000-50000.
Setting the number average molecular weight to 5,000 or more is preferable from the viewpoint of imparting good mechanical strength to the polymerized cured product and realizing high durability against repeated use of the flexographic printing plate and rough handling.
Setting the number average molecular weight to 70000 or less is preferable from the viewpoint of imparting good developability to the photosensitive resin composition with an aqueous cleaning solution and facilitating compatibility with a general-purpose developing device.
In the present embodiment, the “number average molecular weight” is a value calculated as a polystyrene conversion value in GPC measurement, as described in the following examples.

(B) An ethylenically unsaturated compound is a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group in the molecule.
(B) Examples of the ethylenically unsaturated compound include unsaturated carboxylic acids such as (meth) acrylic acid; ester compounds of the unsaturated carboxylic acid; (meth) acrylamide and derivatives thereof; allyl compounds; maleic acid and maleic anhydride And compounds having an ethylenically unsaturated group such as acid, fumaric acid and esters thereof.
An ethylenically unsaturated compound is used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types.

Examples of unsaturated carboxylic acid ester compounds include alkyl (meth) acrylate, cycloalkyl (meth) acrylate, halogenated alkyl (meth) acrylate, alkoxyalkyl (meth) acrylate, hydroxyalkyl (meth) acrylate, aminoalkyl ( (Meth) acrylates, tetrahydrofurfuryl (meth) acrylates, allyl (meth) acrylates, glycidyl (meth) acrylates, benzyl (meth) acrylates, and phenoxyethyl (meth) acrylates; alkylene glycol or polyoxyalkylene glycol mono or di ( Meth) acrylate; trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate; glycerol mono-, di- or tri (meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol tetra (meth) Acrylates, such as ditrimethylolpropane tetra (meth) acrylate.
An unsaturated carboxylic acid such as (meth) acrylic acid and an ester compound of an unsaturated carboxylic acid are used singly or in combination of two or more.

(Meth) acrylamide derivatives include, for example, N-substituted or N, N′-substituted (meth) acrylamide, diacetone (meth) acrylamide, and N, N′-alkylenebis (meta) with an alkyl group or a hydroxyalkyl group. ) Acrylamide and the like.
(Meth) acrylamide and derivatives thereof are used singly or in combination of two or more.

Examples of the allyl compound include allyl alcohol, allyl isocyanate, diallyl phthalate, and triallyl cyanurate.
An allyl compound is used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types.

Examples of the esters of maleic acid and fumaric acid include alkyl, halogenated alkyl, alkoxyalkyl mono- or dimaleate and mono- or difumarate.
Maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid and esters thereof are used singly or in combination of two or more.

(B) In addition to the compounds described above, examples of the ethylenically unsaturated compound include compounds having an ethylenically unsaturated group such as styrene, vinyl toluene, divinylbenzene, N-vinyl carbazole, and N-vinyl pyrrolidone. .
The said compound which has an ethylenically unsaturated group is used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types.

  (B) Examples of the ethylenically unsaturated compound include propylene glycol monomethacrylate, poly (poly (), from the viewpoint of controlling flexibility, elasticity characteristics, mechanical strength required for durability, swelling property with respect to ink, and the like required for flexographic printing plates. Oxypropylene) glycol monomethacrylate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether mono (meth) acrylate, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether mono (meth) acrylate, diethylene glycol mono-2-ethylhexyl ether mono (meth) acrylate, triethylene glycol monohexyl ether mono (meth) acrylate, Tetradecyl (meth) acrylate, pentadecyl (meth) acrylate, phenoxyethyl (meth) acrylate, N, N-diethylaminoethyl (meth) acryl And polyoxypropylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate; glycerin mono, di or tri (meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol tetra (meth) acrylate, ditrimethylolpropane tetra (meth) acrylate, And at least one compound selected from the group consisting of dipentaerythritol hexa (meth) acrylate.

In the photosensitive resin composition of the present embodiment, the blending amount of (b) the ethylenically unsaturated compound is 10 to 150 parts by weight, preferably 10 to 150 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the (a) polyurethane prepolymer. 100 parts by mass.
(B) By making the compounding quantity of an ethylenically unsaturated compound into the said range, the viscosity of 10-500 Pa.s in 20 degreeC of the photosensitive resin composition is easily realizable. When the viscosity at 20 ° C. of the photosensitive resin composition is within the above range, the photosensitive resin composition has good plate making properties when used as a flexographic printing plate, and can realize excellent thickness accuracy.

(C) As the photopolymerization initiator, for example, benzoin alkyl ethers such as benzoin, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin-n-propyl ether, benzoin isopropyl ether, benzoin isobutyl ether, 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, Examples include benzophenone, dibenzyl, diacetyl, diphenyl sulfide, and 9,10-anthraquinone.
A photoinitiator is used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types.

(C) It is preferable to use a photopolymerization initiator in combination with a sensitizer from the viewpoint of increasing the reactivity.
Examples of the sensitizer include amines such as triethanolamine, methyldiethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, Michler's ketone, 4,4′-diethylaminophenone, and 4-diethylaminobenzoic acid ethyl ester; and dyes such as eosin and thiocin. Can be mentioned.
(C) When a hydrogen abstraction type initiator such as benzophenone is used as the photopolymerization initiator, it is preferably combined with a sensitizer.

In the photosensitive resin composition of the present embodiment, the amount of the (c) photopolymerization initiator is 0.01 to the total mass of the (a) polyurethane prepolymer and (b) the ethylenically unsaturated compound. It is 10 mass%, Preferably it is 0.1-5 mass%.
(C) By making the compounding quantity of a photoinitiator into the said range, the photosensitive resin composition which is excellent in the storage stability of the photosensitive resin composition, the desired photocuring speed, and the physical property balance in a resin cured material. It can be.

  (D) A nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound not having a hydroxyphenyl group is a compound having no substituted or unsubstituted hydroxyphenyl group in the molecule among compounds having a cyclic structure containing a carbon atom and a nitrogen atom. is there.

The photosensitive resin composition of the present embodiment preferably does not contain a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having a hydroxyphenyl group in the molecule as an ultraviolet absorber, and in particular, does not contain a hydroxyphenylbenzotriazole derivative. preferable. The ultraviolet absorber is a compound having a high extinction coefficient in the ultraviolet-visible wavelength region.
Examples of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having a hydroxyphenyl group in the molecule as the ultraviolet absorber include 2- (2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2- [2-hydroxy-3, 5-bis (α, α-dimethylbenzyl) phenyl] -2H-benzotriazole, 2- (2′-hydroxy-3′-t-butyl-5′-methylphenyl) -5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2- ( 2′-hydroxy-5′-t-octylphenyl) benzotriazole, methyl-3- [3-t-butyl-5- (2H-benzotriazol-2-yl) -4-hydroxyphenyl] propionate-polyethylene glycol ( And a hydroxyphenylbenzotriazole derivative such as a condensate with a molecular weight of about 300).
When a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having a hydroxyphenyl group in the molecule as an ultraviolet absorber is added to the photosensitive resin composition to form a resin cured product, the resin cured product is discolored by irradiation with ultraviolet / visible light. In order to obtain the suppression effect, a significant decrease in sensitivity is induced when the photosensitive resin composition is photocured.

Therefore, (d) a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound not having a hydroxyphenyl group has a sensitivity characteristic excellent as a flexographic printing plate material by not having a substituted or unsubstituted hydroxyphenyl group in the molecule. The resin composition can be realized, and the cured resin product can exhibit characteristics that are excellent in the effect of suppressing discoloration by irradiation with ultraviolet and visible light.
(D) The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound which does not have a hydroxyphenyl group is used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types.

(D) A nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound not having a hydroxyphenyl group is a benzene that does not have a hydroxyphenyl group from the viewpoint that the resin cured product exhibits an effect of suppressing discoloration at a higher level by irradiation with ultraviolet and visible light. A nitrogen-containing fused heteroaromatic compound containing both a ring and a nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic ring is more preferable.
The nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic ring compound is a compound having a nitrogen atom as a ring-constituting atom and an unsaturated bond in the nitrogen-containing heterocycle.

(D) As the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group, for example, pyrrole, oxazole, thiazole, imidazole, pyrazole, thiadiazole, triazole, tetrazole, indoline, indole, benzimidazole, indazole, benzotriazole, pyridine, Examples thereof include compounds having a nitrogen-containing heterocycle such as piperidine, piperazine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, quinoline and isoquinoline.
Among them, a compound having imidazole, benzimidazole, triazole, benzotriazole or the like as a basic skeleton is preferable from the viewpoint that it has little influence on the sensitivity characteristics of the photosensitive resin composition and can exhibit the effect of suppressing discoloration of the cured resin. .

(D) In the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound not having a hydroxyphenyl group, the compound having the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring described above may be substituted with a substituent or may be unsubstituted.
Although it does not specifically limit as a substituent, For example, linear or branched hydrocarbon groups, such as a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 alkyl group, an alkenyl group, and an alkynyl group, Groups having 6 to 20 carbon atoms such as a group to which a hydrocarbon group is bonded via a hetero element such as oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen such as an alkoxy group, an alkylthio group, and an alkylamino group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, and a naphthyl group Aryl groups, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds described above as heteroaryl groups (which may contain nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, phosphorus in the ring) , A monocyclic ring or a condensed ring), a hydroxyl group, a nitro group, a carboxyl group and its ester group, a halo group such as a chloro group and a bromo group.
The substituent may be a single substituent or two or more substituents. The substituents of two or more substituents may be the same or different.
Note that (d) the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound not having a hydroxyphenyl group may be substituted by the above-described substituent, but does not have a hydroxyphenyl group.

(D) As the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group, for example, pyrrole, oxazole, thiazole, imidazole, pyrazole, thiadiazole, triazole, tetrazole, indoline, indole, benzimidazole, indazole, benzotriazole, pyridine, Examples include piperidine, piperazine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, quinoline, isoquinoline, and derivatives thereof. Specifically, imidazole, 1-methylimidazole, 2-phenylimidazole, 2-methylimidazole, 2-octylbenzimidazole, 4 -Methylimidazole, 2-phenyl- (4-methyl) imidazole, 2-alkyl (C = 1-4) -5-alkyl (C = 1-4) imidazole, 1,2,3-triazole 1,2,4-triazole, 3,5-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazole, 3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazole, benzimidazole, 2-methylbenzimidazole, 5-methylbenzimidazole 2-hydroxybenzimidazole, 2- (1-hydroxyethyl) benzimidazole, 5-nitrobenzimidazole, 2-hydroxymethylbenzimidazole, 2- (1-naphthylmethyl) benzimidazole, 2- (4-thiazolyl) benz Imidazole, 5-benzimidazolecarboxylic acid, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzotriazole, 1,2,3-benzotriazole, 5-chlorobenzotriazole, 4-methylbenzotriazole, 5-methylbenzotriazole, 5- Nitrobenzotriazo Le, 1-hydroxybenzotriazole, and 5-benzotriazole carboxylic acids.
Examples of the derivative in the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound not having a hydroxyphenyl group include a substituted nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound not having a hydroxyphenyl group, and a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring not having a substituted or unsubstituted hydroxyphenyl group The compound etc. which derived the compound are mentioned.
These compounds are used alone or in combination of two or more.

In the photosensitive resin composition of the present embodiment, (d) the compounding amount of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group is the total mass of (a) the polyurethane prepolymer and (b) the ethylenically unsaturated compound. Is 0.005% by mass or more, preferably 0.01% by mass or more, and more preferably 0.015% by mass or more.
When the said value is 0.005 mass% or more, the photosensitive resin composition which is excellent in the discoloration suppression effect by ultraviolet visible light irradiation in a resin cured material can be obtained.
The upper limit of the value is not particularly limited from the viewpoint of exhibiting the effect of suppressing discoloration due to ultraviolet-visible light irradiation in the cured resin, but when the value is 3% by mass or less, [flexo is described later. When the post-exposure step of the printing plate production method] is carried out by an underwater exposure method, (d) a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group oozes out from the resin cured product into the post-exposure water. Contamination can be prevented.
The said value becomes like this. More preferably, it is 2.5 mass% or less, More preferably, it is 2 mass% or less.
Incorporation of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound into the post-exposure solution reduces the transmittance of actinic rays having a distribution in the wavelength region of 200 to 300 nm, and in order to make the flexographic printing plate surface non-adhesive, It is preferable to set the amount of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no (d) hydroxyphenyl group within the minimum range.
In addition, when the value is 3% by mass or less, the mechanical strength of the resin cured product is reduced, or (d) a nitrogen-containing heterocycle having no hydroxyphenyl group when applied to repeated printing as a flexographic printing plate It is possible to prevent plate thickness reduction due to extraction of compounds.

If necessary, the photosensitive resin composition of the present embodiment may further contain a thermal polymerization inhibitor, a light stabilizer, a dye, a pigment, a lubricant, an inorganic filler, a plasticizer, and the like. An ultraviolet absorber can also be mix | blended in the range of a sensitivity design.
The thermal polymerization inhibitor is not particularly limited as long as it is a polymerization inhibitor for preventing thermal polymerization reaction (dark reaction). For example, hydroquinone, mono-t-butylhydroquinone, benzoquinone, 2,5-diphenyl- Examples include p-benzoquinone, picric acid, di-p-fluorophenylamine, p-methoxyphenol, and 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol.
A thermal polymerization inhibitor can be used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types.

In the photosensitive resin composition of the present embodiment, the addition amount of the thermal polymerization inhibitor is 0.005 to 5% by mass with respect to the total mass of (a) polyurethane prepolymer and (b) ethylenically unsaturated compound. It is preferable that
By setting the blending amount of the thermal polymerization initiator within the above range, it is possible to realize excellent sensitivity characteristics as a flexographic printing plate material, and it has excellent stability against long-term storage sensitivity changes and gelation. Resin composition.

The light stabilizer is not particularly limited as long as it is a light stabilizer used in the photosensitive resin composition, but prevents a decrease in mechanical properties caused when the resin cured product is irradiated with ultraviolet-visible light. From the viewpoint of improving the discoloration suppressing effect of the cured resin, a hindered amine light stabilizer is preferable.
Examples of the hindered amine light stabilizer include bis (1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, bis (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, 2 -(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) -2-n-butylmalonate bis (1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl), dimethyl succinate-1- (2-hydroxyethyl) -4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine polycondensate, poly [[6- (1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl) amino-1,3 5-triazine-2,4-diyl] [(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) imino] hexamethylene [(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) imino] ] Tetrakis 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) -1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate, 1- [2- [3- (3,5-di-t-butyl-4- Hydroxyphenyl) propionyloxy] ethyl] -4- [3- (3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionyloxy] -2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 1,2, Examples include 2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl methacrylate and 4-benzoyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine.
A hindered amine light stabilizer can be used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types.

In the photosensitive resin composition of the present embodiment, the addition amount of the light stabilizer is 0.05 to 10% by mass with respect to the total mass of (a) polyurethane prepolymer and (b) ethylenically unsaturated compound. It is preferably 0.1 to 5% by mass.
When the amount is 0.05% by mass or more, it is possible to obtain a photosensitive resin composition that is excellent in mechanical properties by ultraviolet-visible light irradiation in the cured resin.
When the amount is 10% by mass or less, (a) a polyurethane prepolymer having an ethylenically unsaturated group and (b) an ethylenically unsaturated compound are excellent in compatibility, and a transparent photosensitive resin composition is obtained. be able to.

The flexographic printing plate of the present embodiment is a flexographic printing plate produced using the photosensitive resin composition of the present embodiment, and is a flexographic printing plate containing a cured resin.
The flexographic printing plate is particularly preferably used as a cardboard flexographic printing plate, a general printing flexographic printing plate, a stamp flexographic printing plate, and the like.

[Method of manufacturing flexographic printing plate]
The manufacturing method of the flexographic printing plate in the present embodiment,
(A) A cured site forming step (sometimes referred to as an “exposure step”) in which the surface of a molded body formed from the photosensitive resin composition of the present embodiment is exposed to form a cured site on the surface of the molded body. .),
(B) a development step of developing the cured portion with a cleaning liquid after the cured portion forming step;
(C) After the developing step, an actinic ray irradiating step (sometimes referred to as a “post-exposure step”) for irradiating the surface of the developed cured site with actinic rays is included.
The method for producing a flexographic printing plate may further include (D) a drying step of drying the cured portion after the actinic ray irradiation step.

In the step (A), the surface of the molded body formed from the photosensitive resin composition of the present embodiment is ablated with a mask layer (for example, a negative film layer or an infrared laser) provided on the surface. By irradiating actinic rays through the layer), the portion where the relief layer is to be formed is selectively photocured.
The mask layer has a shape that can selectively irradiate actinic rays to a portion where a relief layer on the surface of the molded body is to be formed.

  Examples of the active light source used in the step (A) include a low-pressure mercury lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp, a carbon arc lamp, a xenon lamp, a zirconium lamp, and sunlight.

The step (A) may include a molding step in which the photosensitive resin composition is molded into a film having a certain thickness on the substrate inside a dedicated apparatus (plate making machine).
In this case, the step (A) may be referred to as a molding / exposure step.

The molding / exposure step includes, for example, the following steps (A1) to (A3).
(A1) A negative film is placed on an ultraviolet light transmissive glass plate (lower glass plate), and the negative film is covered with a thin protective film, and then a liquid photosensitive resin composition is poured onto the negative film. A photosensitive layer molding step of forming a photosensitive layer by laminating a base film serving as a support through a spacer so as to have a constant plate thickness, and then pressing it with an ultraviolet transmissive glass plate (upper glass plate).
When forming a printing plate (thickness of 4 mm or more) used for corrugated cardboard printing, in order to compensate the strength of the relief against the printing pressure at the time of printing, a shelf layer as a base is formed on the photosensitive layer portion on the upper glass plate side It is preferable to form. In this case, it is preferable to mold the photosensitive layer by sandwiching a dedicated negative film (masking film) between the upper glass plate and the base film before the relief exposure.

(A2) After the photosensitive layer molding step, by irradiating actinic rays (for example, rays having a wavelength distribution of 300 nm or more) from the upper glass plate through the base film using an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp or the like as an actinic ray source A back exposure step of depositing a uniform thin resin cured material layer (that is, a floor forming layer (back deposition layer)) on the entire surface of the base film side of the plate.
When a masking film is provided in the photosensitive layer forming step, a shelf layer is formed by the same exposure. In this case, it may be called a masking exposure process.

(A3) A relief forming exposure step in which, after the back exposure step or the masking exposure step, the photosensitive layer is irradiated with the same actinic rays as above from the lower glass side through a negative film to form an image.
In addition, when a shelf layer is formed by a masking exposure step, it is also preferable that a masking film is removed after the relief forming exposure step and a back deposition layer is formed on the entire surface of the base film through a back exposure step. one of.
The amount of actinic ray irradiation in the above masking exposure step, relief forming exposure step, and back exposure step is not particularly limited, and is adjusted according to the sensitivity characteristics of the photosensitive resin composition and the desired relief shape. Is done.

In the step (B), after the cured site forming step, the uncured portion is developed by developing the cured site formed in the cured site forming step with a cleaning liquid.
Examples of the cleaning liquid used in the step (B) include an aqueous surfactant solution.

The type and composition of the surfactant used in the surfactant aqueous solution are not particularly limited as long as the optimum one is selected in accordance with the properties of the photosensitive resin composition to be used.
Also as a development method, a method of immersing the photosensitive resin cured plate obtained by exposure in a developer, a method of spraying a developer from a spray nozzle on the photosensitive resin cured plate surface obtained by exposure, or immersion, A method of scraping off an uncured resin swollen by spraying with a brush is applicable.

  The surfactant is preferably an anionic surfactant and / or a nonionic surfactant from the viewpoints of fine portion cleaning properties and cleaning liquid stamina properties.

Examples of the anionic component in the anionic surfactant include linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid, α-olefin sulfonic acid, dialkyl sulfosuccinic acid, sulfonic acid of fatty acid lower alkyl ester, alkyl sulfuric acid, alkyl ether sulfuric acid, saturated or unsaturated fatty acid, and the like. Or these polyoxyalkylene adducts etc. are mentioned.
Examples of the counter cation component for the anion component in the anionic surfactant include alkali metal ions such as sodium and potassium, alkanolamine ions such as ammonium, monoethanolamine, and diethanolamine.

  Nonionic surfactants include, for example, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, polyoxyalkylene alkenyl ether, polyoxyalkylene alkyl phenyl ether, polyoxyalkylene alkenyl phenyl ether, polyoxyalkylene styryl phenyl ether, polyoxyalkylene alkylamine, polyoxyalkylene ether Examples include alkylene alkenyl amines, polyoxyalkylene alkyl amides, polyoxyalkylene alkenyl amides, and ethylene oxide / propylene oxide block adducts (pluronic surfactants).

The proportion of the surfactant in the cleaning liquid is preferably 0.2 to 4% by mass, more preferably 0.5 to 3% by mass.
By setting the ratio to 0.2% by mass or more, it is preferable from the viewpoint of ensuring sufficient cleaning capability for providing a printing plate that can be used for printing.
By setting the ratio to 4% by mass or less, the surfactant that has penetrated the surface of the cured resin product can reduce the function of inhibiting the curing reaction caused by post-exposure, and can contribute to reducing the tackiness of the printing plate surface. .

From the viewpoint of producing a flexographic printing plate having low surface tackiness from the photosensitive resin composition of the present embodiment, it is preferable to use the developer for the photosensitive resin printing plate disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3586990 as the cleaning liquid. .
The developer for the photosensitive resin printing plate contains a hydrogen abstraction agent capable of abstracting hydrogen atoms in the compound by irradiation with actinic rays.
Further, the surface of the cured portion developed in the step (B) is irradiated with actinic rays having a distribution in a wavelength region that effectively activates the hydrogen abstracting agent in the step (C), so that a flexographic printing plate is obtained. This is a plate making method for making the surface non-tacky.

In the step (C), after the development step, actinic rays are irradiated to the cured portion of the resin mainly for the purpose of promoting the mechanical strength of the printing plate and removing the surface adhesiveness.
Examples of the active light source used in the step (C) include an active light source having a distribution in a wavelength region of 300 nm or more used for relief exposure (for example, a high pressure mercury lamp, an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp, an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp, a carbon arc lamp, a xenon Lamp), an active light source having a distribution in a wavelength region of 200 to 300 nm (for example, a low-pressure mercury lamp, a germicidal lamp, a deuterium lamp, or the like), or a light source combining these.

Examples of the exposure method in the step (C) include an underwater exposure method for the purpose of preventing polymerization reaction inhibition due to oxygen in the air, and an aerial exposure method in which no measures are taken against the oxygen inhibition in the air. .
Of these, the underwater exposure method is preferred from the viewpoint of satisfactorily suppressing the development of adhesiveness due to abrasion of the plate surface.

In the step (C), the amount of irradiation with actinic rays is preferably 500 to 5000 mJ / cm ² , more preferably 1000 to 5000 mJ / cm ² when using actinic rays having a distribution in the wavelength region of 200 to 300 nm. More preferably, it is 2000-3500 mJ / cm < ² >.
By setting the irradiation amount of actinic rays to 500 mJ / cm ² or more, it is preferable from the viewpoint of sufficiently removing surface tackiness and maintaining non-tackiness even in repeated printing.
By making the irradiation amount of actinic light into 5000 mJ / cm < ² > or less, it is suitable from a viewpoint of reducing the possibility that a micro crack will arise on the printing plate surface and adhesiveness may appear.
The “irradiation amount of actinic rays” in the present embodiment is a value calculated from the irradiation amount and irradiation time at a wavelength of 250 nm measured by “UV-M02” which is an ultraviolet ray measuring device manufactured by Oak Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

In the step (D), after the actinic ray irradiation step, the water adhering to the surface of the photosensitive resin cured plate in the step (B) or the step (C) by the underwater exposure method is dried.
The drying in the drying step is preferably performed using a dedicated housed hot air dryer.

  The manufacturing method of the flexographic printing plate of the present embodiment may further include other steps. For example, the plate making method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3592336, which passes through the step of permeating the surface of the plate with a hydrogen abstracting agent after step (B) and further passes through step (C), can also be suitably applied.

The hardness of the cured resin is indicated by a value measured with a JIS constant pressure loader GS-710 (according to ASTM: D2240A, JIS: K6253A, ISO: 7619A, manufactured by Teclock Corporation).
As for the flexibility required for the flexographic printing plate, the Shore A hardness measured at a temperature of 20 ° C. and a relative humidity of 70% is preferably 10 to 50 degrees, more preferably 10 to 40 degrees.
The hardness may be appropriately selected according to the material of the non-printed body and the required print quality.
Setting the Shore A hardness to 10 degrees or more is preferable from the viewpoint of suppressing the distortion of the relief with respect to the printing pressure and reducing the possibility that the printed image becomes thick and the characters are difficult to read.
Setting the Shore A hardness to 50 degrees or less is preferable from the viewpoint of sufficiently transferring the ink.
In this embodiment, “Shore A hardness” is a value measured by “Shore A hardness” as described in the following examples.

The discoloration of the cured resin resulting from irradiation with ultraviolet and visible light is indicated by a ΔE * value for discoloration evaluation.
When using the photosensitive resin composition as a flexographic printing plate, it is preferable to make the said value into the range of 0-8, and it is more preferable that it is 0-5.
A flexographic printing plate having a value of 8 or less can maintain the original color tone even if it is stored for about 6 months in a working environment in which daytime interior lighting is turned on. The difference in color tone between the place where the plate joining method is performed and other regions is also preferable from the viewpoint of difficulty in visual observation.
In the present embodiment, the “ΔE * value” is a value measured by “discoloration evaluation” as described in the following examples.

The mechanical strength required for the flexographic printing plate of the cured resin is indicated by notch crack resistance.
The notch crack resistance is preferably 20 seconds or more, more preferably 30 seconds or more, and further preferably 40 seconds or more.
By setting the value to 20 seconds or more, it is preferable from the viewpoint of satisfactorily realizing the durability required for corrugated board printing. That is, a slight scratch (notch) on the surface of the flexographic printing plate may develop into a chipped relief due to bending during handling. Corrugated board printing plates are generally large and have a large degree of bending and bending when handling the plate. Accordingly, when the flexographic printing plate is used as a corrugated cardboard printing plate, it is required to have particularly good notch resistance. In the notch crack resistance region where the notch crack resistance is 45 seconds or more, the durability is so high that a significant difference cannot be determined in actual use.
In the present embodiment, “notch crack resistance” is a value measured by the method described in the following examples in accordance with the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 04-95959.

  Although not particularly limited, for example, in the photosensitive resin composition, (a) a method of selecting a high molecular weight body having a number average molecular weight in the range of 5000 to 70000 as the polyurethane prepolymer, (a) polyurethane prepolymer A method of using a polyester polyol as a polyol according to (a), a polyether diol and a polyester diol each having a number average molecular weight of 1000 or more, and a molar ratio thereof (polyether diol / polyester diol). By adopting a method of mixing and using in the range of 1/2 to 2/1, the notch crack resistance can be increased to 20 seconds or more, and a cured resin product having excellent mechanical strength can be obtained. .

Hereinafter, although this Embodiment is concretely demonstrated by an Example and a comparative example, this Embodiment is not limited only to the following Examples.
The measurement method used in the present embodiment is as follows.

[GPC measurement]
About the manufactured polyurethane prepolymer, GPC measurement was performed on condition of the following, and the number average molecular weight of the high molecular weight body by polystyrene conversion was calculated | required. Moreover, the content of the high molecular weight substance derived from the polyurethane prepolymer component excluding the unreacted product of HP and PPM added excessively during the production was determined from the peak area ratio (%) obtained by GPC measurement.
Equipment: “HLC-8220GPC” manufactured by Tosoh Corporation
Column: “TSLgelGMMHXL” manufactured by Tosoh Corporation
Solvent: Tetrahydrofuran Flow rate: 1 ml / min Injection volume: 100 microliters Detector: RI detector Calibration curve standard: Polystyrene (molecular weight 500 to 1260000)
Sample: 0.3 mass% tetrahydrofuran solution

[Viscosity at 20 ° C.]
The obtained liquid photosensitive resin composition was left in a constant temperature and humidity room at a temperature of 20 ° C. and a relative humidity of 70% for one day, and a B-type viscometer type B8H (manufactured by Tokyo Keiki Co., Ltd.) was used in the room. The viscosity at 20 ° C. was measured.

[Shore A hardness]
The obtained flexographic printing plate was left in a constant temperature and humidity room at a temperature of 20 ° C. and a relative humidity of 70% for one day, and the Shore A hardness of the 15 cm square image printing surface of the flexographic printing plate was measured. 15 seconds after the start of measurement, using a JIS constant pressure loader GS-710 (according to ASTM: D2240A, JIS: K6253A, ISO: 7619A) with a 1 kg load installed in the same room. The value of was read.

[Notch crack resistance evaluation]
(1) A flexographic printing plate having a solid image of 15 cm square or more (a printing relief having a smooth entire surface and no recesses) and a 7 mm-thick flexographic printing plate formed on a support (base film) has a width of 2 cm, Three strip-shaped sample plates having a length of 5 cm were cut out, and a cut line (notch) having a depth of 0.8 to 1.2 mm was put in a central portion in the length direction with a cutter.
(2) The length of both ends of the sample plate is slightly curved so that the cut line is on the outside, and is lightly pinched with the fingers of one hand, and the support located on the back side of the cut line of the sample plate is The finger of the other hand was applied to the support so that it was bent just below, and the sample plate was quickly bent and the sample plate was supported so that the support was in close contact.
(3) The time from when the sample plate was bent to when the crack generated from the cut line reached the support was measured in seconds.
(4) The same measurement was performed on three sample plates, and an integer in units of 5 seconds close to the arithmetic mean value of the measurement results was obtained as notch crack resistance (seconds).

[Discoloration evaluation]
(1) One sample plate of a 7 mm thick flexographic printing plate having a 15 cm square solid image (printing relief with a smooth entire surface and no depressions) and formed on a support (base film) Was placed at a position 120 cm below the fluorescent lamp (manufactured by NEC Corporation, FHF32EX-DHX) and stored for 10 days, and the other sample was stored in the dark.
(2) The discoloration test was carried out using a spectral color difference meter (manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd., SE6000) with a reflection mode of 30 mmφ viewing point, light source / field of view: C / 2, standard white plate (X: 94.05, Y: 96) .00, Z: 113.14) Used in calibration, a color difference ΔE * (JIS Z 8730) based on L *, a *, and b * value measurements of a light-shielded sample and a sample stored under a fluorescent lamp was measured.

[Production Example 1] Production of polyurethane prepolymer A 2000 g of polyoxyethylene (EO) -oxypropylene (PO) block copolymerized diol (Sanix (registered trademark) PL-2100, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd., hydroxyl value) 44 KOH mg / g, EO content 30 mass%, hereinafter abbreviated as “PL2100”), 40 mass ppm of dibutyltin dilaurate (hereinafter abbreviated as “BTL”) was added, and at 40 ° C. Stir until uniform.
To the obtained mixture, 149 g of tolylene diisocyanate (trade name “Coronate (registered trademark) T-80”, manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Co., Ltd., hereinafter abbreviated as “TDI”) was added and further stirred. When the mixture became uniform, the mixture was heated to 80 ° C. and then reacted for about 4 to 5 hours to prepare polyurethane A having isocyanate groups at both ends.
To the obtained polyurethane A, 137 g of poly (oxypropylene) glycol monomethacrylate (trade name “PPM”, manufactured by NOF Corporation, number average molecular weight 380) and 69 g of hydroxypropyl methacrylate (trade name “HP”) , Manufactured by NOF Corporation) and allowed to react for about 2 hours. A part of the reaction product in the obtained composition was taken out and the disappearance of isocyanate groups was confirmed by an IR spectrometer. In this way, polyurethane prepolymer A was obtained.
As a result of GPC measurement for polyurethane prepolymer A, the number average molecular weight of the high molecular weight substance derived from the polyurethane prepolymer component was 33500, and the content of the high molecular weight substance in the composition was 93% by mass.

[Production Example 2] Production of polyurethane prepolymer B A mixture of 900 g of poly (propylene glycol adipate) diol (Takelac (registered trademark) U2320, manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Polyurethane Co., Ltd., hydroxyl value: 44 KOHmg / g) and 1100 g of PL2100 On the other hand, 30 mass ppm of BTL was added and stirred at 40 ° C. until uniform.
155 g of TDI was added to the resulting mixture and further stirred. When the mixture became uniform, the mixture was heated to 80 ° C. and then reacted for about 4 to 5 hours to prepare polyurethane B having isocyanate groups at both ends.
To the obtained polyurethane B, 259 g of PPM and 136 g of HP were added and reacted for about 2 hours. A part of the reaction product in the obtained composition was taken out and the disappearance of isocyanate groups was confirmed by an IR spectrometer. In this way, polyurethane prepolymer B was obtained.
As a result of GPC measurement on the polyurethane prepolymer B, the number average molecular weight of the high molecular weight substance derived from the polyurethane prepolymer component was 21,000, and the content of the high molecular weight substance in the composition was 87% by mass.

[Production Example 3] Production of polyurethane prepolymer C 1000 g of poly (3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol adipate) diol (Kurapol P-3010, manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd., hydroxyl value: 37 KOHmg / g) and 1000 g 30 mass ppm of BTL was added to the mixture with PL2100 and stirred at 40 ° C. until uniform. 144 g of TDI was added to the resulting mixture and further stirred. When the mixture became uniform, the mixture was heated to 80 ° C. and then reacted for about 4 to 5 hours to prepare polyurethane C having isocyanate groups at both ends.
To the obtained polyurethane C, 206 g of PPM and 181 g of HP were added and reacted for about 2 hours. A part of the reaction product in the obtained composition was taken out and the disappearance of isocyanate groups was confirmed by an IR spectrometer. In this way, polyurethane prepolymer C was obtained.
As a result of GPC measurement for polyurethane prepolymer C, the number average molecular weight of the high molecular weight substance derived from the polyurethane prepolymer component was 23,000, and the content of the high molecular weight substance in the composition was 89% by mass.

[Production Example 4] Production of polyurethane prepolymer D To 2000 g of PL2100, 40 mass ppm of BTL was added and stirred at 40 ° C until uniform. To the obtained mixture, 144 g of hexamethylene diisocyanate (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) was added and further stirred. When the mixture became uniform, the mixture was heated to 80 ° C. and then reacted for about 4 to 5 hours to prepare polyurethane D having isocyanate groups at both ends.
To the obtained polyurethane D, 136 g of PPM and 69 g of HP were added and reacted for about 2 hours. A part of the reaction product in the obtained composition was taken out and the disappearance of isocyanate groups was confirmed by an IR spectrometer. In this way, polyurethane prepolymer D was obtained.
As a result of GPC measurement on the polyurethane prepolymer D, the number average molecular weight of the high molecular weight substance derived from the polyurethane prepolymer component was 32500, and the content of the high molecular weight substance in the composition was 93% by mass.

[Production Example 5] Production of polyurethane prepolymer E To 2000 g of PL2100, 40 mass ppm of BTL was added and stirred at 40 ° C until uniform. To the obtained mixture, 215 g of dicyclohexylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate (manufactured by Tokyo Kasei Co., Ltd.) was added and further stirred. When the mixture became uniform, the mixture was heated to 80 ° C. and then reacted for about 4 to 5 hours to prepare polyurethane E having isocyanate groups at both ends.
141 g of PPM and 71 g of HP were added to the obtained polyurethane E and reacted for about 2 hours. A part of the reaction product in the obtained composition was taken out and the disappearance of isocyanate groups was confirmed by an IR spectrometer. In this way, polyurethane prepolymer E was obtained.
As a result of GPC measurement for polyurethane prepolymer E, the number average molecular weight of the high molecular weight substance derived from the polyurethane prepolymer component was 33500, and the content of the high molecular weight substance in the composition was 93% by mass.

[Example 1]
Polyurethane prepolymer A: 70 parts by mass, methacrylate ester of aliphatic alcohol (trade name “Light Ester L-45”, manufactured by Oil and Fat Products Co., Ltd., hereinafter abbreviated as “L-45”): 14 parts by mass , PPM: 14 parts by mass, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (trade name “SR350J”, manufactured by Sartomer, hereinafter abbreviated as “SR350J”): 2 parts by mass, 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone ( (Hereinafter abbreviated as “DMPAP”): 0.6 parts by mass, 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol (hereinafter abbreviated as “BHT”): 0.6 parts by mass, bis ( 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate (trade name “Sanol (registered trademark) LS-765”, Sankyo Lifetech Co., Ltd. "LS-765" and abbreviated as "LS-765"): 1 part by mass and benzimidazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.): 0.1 parts by mass with stirring and mixing in a heated state at 60 ° C. A functional resin composition was obtained.

Using the obtained liquid photosensitive resin composition, a flexographic printing plate was prepared by sequentially performing the following molding / exposure process, development process, post-exposure process, and drying process.
1) Molding / exposure step Molding / exposure was performed using an ALF-213E type plate making machine (manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation) with a plate thickness of 7 mm.
First, a negative film having a 15 cm square transmission part was placed on the lower glass plate, the negative film was covered with a cover film CF-84 (manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation), and vacuum-adhered.
The prepared liquid photosensitive resin composition was applied to the negative upper image area, and a base film BF-444 (manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation) was laminated thereon.
Further, a masking film having a 17 cm square transmission portion was placed on the base film in accordance with the image of the negative film, and then the light source box including the upper glass was lowered.
After that, the upper light source exposure (masking exposure) amount: 500 mJ / cm ² and the lower light source exposure (relief exposure) amount: 650 mJ / cm ² are sequentially exposed to form a photosensitive resin with a thickness of 7 mm having a 15 cm square print relief. A cured version was obtained.
2) Development step APR (registered trademark) detergent type W-10 (main agent: anionic surfactant, Asahi Kasei Chemicals Co., Ltd.) capable of emulsifying the photosensitive resin composition after recovering the uncured resin by a conventional method Product): 2 mass% and antifoaming agent SH-4 (silicone blend, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Co., Ltd.): 0.3 mass% aqueous solution is used as a developer, and the photosensitive resin cured after exposure is cured. The plate was developed. Using an AL-400W type developing machine (drum rotation spray type, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation, drum rotation speed: 20 rotations / minute, spray pressure: 0.15 Pa) under conditions of a liquid temperature of 40 ° C. and a development time of 10 minutes. After developing, it was washed with tap water to such an extent that bubbles from the developer dropped.
3) Post-exposure process Exposure was performed by an underwater exposure method using an AL-200UP type post-exposure machine (manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation) equipped with both an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp and a germicidal lamp. The exposure was performed with an exposure time at which the exposure amount irradiated from each light source was ultraviolet fluorescent lamp: 1500 mJ / cm ² and germicidal lamp: 4500 mJ / cm ^{2 on the} surface of the photosensitive resin cured plate.
4) Drying step Using ALF-DRYER (Asahi Kasei Chemicals Co., Ltd.), the plate after post-exposure was dried for about 30 minutes until there was no moisture on the surface. In this way, a flexographic printing plate was obtained.

[Comparative Example 1]
Benzimidazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.): A liquid photosensitive resin composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 0.1 part by mass was not added, and a flexographic printing plate was prepared.

[Example 2]
Polyurethane prepolymer B: 75 parts by mass, L-45: 5 parts by mass, PPM: 9 parts by mass, diethylene glycol-2-ethylhexyl ether acrylate (trade name: Aronix M-120, manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd., hereinafter “M- 120 ”): 9 parts by mass, SR350J: 2 parts by mass, DMPAP: 0.6 parts by mass, BHT: 0.6 parts by mass, LS-765: 1 part by mass, and benzimidazole (Tokyo Kasei) (Made by Co., Ltd.): 0.1 parts by mass was stirred and mixed in a heated state at 60 ° C. to obtain a liquid photosensitive resin composition.

Using the obtained liquid photosensitive resin composition, a benzophenone / surfactant aqueous solution (APR (registered trademark) surface treatment type A-10, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation) was further added to the developer in the development process. A flexographic printing plate was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 0.5% by mass was added and the exposure amount for sterilizing lamp irradiation in the post-exposure process was changed to 3000 mJ / cm ² .

[Comparative Example 2]
Benzimidazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.): A liquid photosensitive resin composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2 except that 0.1 part by mass was not added, and a flexographic printing plate was prepared.

Example 3
Polyurethane prepolymer C: 74 parts by mass, PPM: 12 parts by mass, M-120: 12 parts by mass, SR350J: 2 parts by mass, DMPAP: 0.6 parts by mass, BHT: 0.6 parts by mass, LS-765: 1 Part by mass and benzimidazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.): 0.1 part by mass was stirred and mixed in a heated state at 60 ° C. to obtain a liquid photosensitive resin composition.
A flexographic printing plate was produced in the same manner as in Example 2 using the obtained liquid photosensitive resin composition.

[Comparative Example 3]
Benzimidazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.): A liquid photosensitive resin composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3 except that 0.1 part by mass was not added, and a flexographic printing plate was prepared.

Example 4
Polyurethane prepolymer D: 70 parts by mass, L-45: 14 parts by mass, PPM: 14 parts by mass, SR350J: 2.2 parts by mass, DMPAP: 0.6 parts by mass, BHT: 0.6 parts by mass, LS-765 1 part by mass and benzimidazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.): 0.1 part by mass was stirred and mixed in a heated state at 60 ° C. to obtain a liquid photosensitive resin composition.
Using the obtained liquid photosensitive resin composition, a flexographic printing plate was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1.

[Comparative Example 4]
Benzimidazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.): A liquid photosensitive resin composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 4 except that 0.1 part by mass was not added, and a flexographic printing plate was prepared.

Example 5
Polyurethane prepolymer E: 70 parts by mass, L-45: 14 parts by mass, PPM: 14 parts by mass, SR350J: 2.2 parts by mass, DMPAP: 0.6 parts by mass, BHT: 0.6 parts by mass, LS-765 1 part by mass and benzimidazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.): 0.1 part by mass was stirred and mixed in a heated state at 60 ° C. to obtain a liquid photosensitive resin composition.
Using the obtained liquid photosensitive resin composition, a flexographic printing plate was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1.

[Comparative Example 5]
Benzimidazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.): A liquid photosensitive resin composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 5 except that 0.1 part by mass was not added, and a flexographic printing plate was prepared.

[Examples 6 to 12]
Benzimidazole: A liquid photosensitive resin composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3 except that 0.1 mass part of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound shown below was used instead of 0.1 mass part. A printing plate was prepared.
Example 6: 2-methylbenzimidazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
Example 7: 5-methylbenzimidazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
Example 8: 2- (1-hydroxyethyl) benzimidazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
Example 9: 1,2,3-benzotriazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
Example 10: 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)
Example 11: 5-benzotriazolecarboxylic acid (trade name “CBT-1”, manufactured by Johoku Chemical Co., Ltd.)
Example 12: 1,2,4-triazole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)

Example 13
Benzimidazole: A liquid photosensitive resin composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3 except that 0.02 part by mass was used instead of 0.1 part by mass to prepare a flexographic printing plate.

Example 14
Benzimidazole: A liquid photosensitive resin composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3 except that 2 parts by mass was used instead of 0.1 part by mass to prepare a flexographic printing plate.

[Comparative Example 6]
Benzimidazole: A liquid photosensitive resin composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3 except that 0.001 part by mass was used instead of 0.1 part by mass to prepare a flexographic printing plate.

[Comparative Example 7]
Benzimidazole: Implemented except that 2- (2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl) benzotriazole (trade name “Viosorb-520”, manufactured by Kyodo Yakuhin Co., Ltd.) was used instead of 0.1 part by mass. A liquid photosensitive resin composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3 to prepare a flexographic printing plate.
However, the relief of the flexographic printing plate was not formed, and only a cured resin having a thickness of about 1 mm was formed on the support.

[Comparative Example 8]
Benzimidazole: A liquid photosensitive resin composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3 except that Viosorb-520: 0.001 part by mass was used instead of 0.1 part by mass to prepare a flexographic printing plate. .

Table 1 shows the measurement results of the viscosity, Shore A hardness, notch crack resistance, and discoloration evaluation ΔE * at 20 ° C. of the liquid photosensitive resin compositions obtained in Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5. .
Table 2 shows the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds used and the measurement results of the color change evaluation for Examples 6 to 14 and Comparative Examples 6 to 8 whose compositions other than the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound are the same as those of Example 3.

Example 15
Benzimidazole: A liquid photosensitive resin composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3 except that 3.5 parts by mass was used instead of 0.1 part by mass to prepare a flexographic printing plate.
As a result of the color change evaluation, the ΔE * value was 1.

Example 16
Copper phthalocyanine-based blue pigment (trade name “EMF BLUE NCB-2”, manufactured by Toyo Ink Manufacturing Co., Ltd.): A liquid photosensitive resin in the same manner as in Example 3 except that 0.002 part by mass is further added. A composition was obtained and a flexographic printing plate was prepared.
As a result of the color change evaluation, the ΔE * value was 3.

Example 17
Perinone-based red dye (trade name “Kayaset Red A-2G”, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.): A liquid photosensitive resin composition in the same manner as in Example 3 except that 0.01 part by mass is further added. To obtain a flexographic printing plate.
As a result of the color change evaluation, the ΔE * value was 2.

[Comparative Example 9]
“EMF BLUE NCB-2”: A liquid photosensitive resin composition was obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example 3 except that 0.002 part by mass was further added to prepare a flexographic printing plate.
As a result of the color change evaluation, the ΔE * value was 21.

[Comparative Example 10]
“Kayaset Red A-2G”: A liquid photosensitive resin composition was obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example 3 except that 0.01 part by mass was further added to prepare a flexographic printing plate.
As a result of the color change evaluation, the ΔE * value was 16.

The following contents can be read from the results of Examples 1 to 17 and Comparative Examples 1 to 10 described above.
(1) The flexographic printing plate obtained from the photosensitive resin composition of Examples 1 to 17 containing a predetermined amount of a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group has a ΔE * value as a result of discoloration evaluation. A range of 0 to 8 is realized.
(2) On the other hand, the discoloration of the flexographic printing plate obtained from the photosensitive resin composition of Comparative Examples 1 to 5 that does not contain a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group, compared to Examples 1 to 5 , ΔE * indicates a value exceeding 15.
(3) As a comparison between Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5, if attention is paid to the polyisocyanate component of the unsaturated polyurethane prepolymer, any prepolymer of aromatic polyisocyanate and aliphatic polyisocyanate may be used. In addition, a discoloration suppressing effect due to the inclusion of a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group is expressed.
(4) Compared to Comparative Examples 9 and 10 which are examples of colored photosensitive resin compositions, in Examples 16 and 17 containing a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound not having a hydroxyphenyl group, discoloration of the flexographic printing plate The property realizes a range of ΔE * values 0-8.
(5) Comparative Example 6 is a photosensitive resin containing a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group. In Comparative Example 6 having a mixing amount of 0.001 part by mass, the discoloration suppressing effect is not sufficient. Moreover, in Example 9 which is a mixed amount of 3.5 mass parts, the discoloration suppression effect was expressed. However, the post-exposure water after manufacture changed to brown, and the plate surface of the flexographic printing plate after manufacture became a plate with a large stickiness feeling when touched by hand.
(6) Comparative Examples 7 and 8 are photosensitive resin compositions containing a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having a hydroxyphenyl group (Viosorb-520), and the compound exhibits ultraviolet absorptivity so that it can be used for flexographic printing plate preparation. It was impossible to achieve both necessary sensitivity and discoloration suppression effect.
(7) From the above results, in order to maintain the discoloration of the flexographic printing plate composed of various urethane-based prepolymers at the target level, the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group is contained at 0.005% by mass or more. It became clear that blending is effective in the discoloration suppressing effect.

  The photosensitive resin composition of the present invention can be suitably used particularly in the field of flexographic printing plates for cardboard printing.

Claims (12)

100 parts by mass of a polyurethane prepolymer having an ethylenically unsaturated group;
And 10 to 150 parts by mass of an ethylenically unsaturated compound,
0.01-10% by mass of a photopolymerization initiator and 0.005% by mass or more of a hydroxyphenyl group based on the total mass of the polyurethane prepolymer having an ethylenically unsaturated group and the ethylenically unsaturated compound. A non-nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound.   The photosensitive resin composition according to claim 1, wherein the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound is a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic aromatic compound.   The photosensitive resin composition according to claim 1, wherein the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound is a nitrogen-containing condensed heteroaromatic compound containing both a benzene ring and a nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic ring.   The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group is at least one selected from the group consisting of imidazole, benzimidazole, and derivatives thereof, according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Photosensitive resin composition.   The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having no hydroxyphenyl group is selected from the group consisting of 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,3, -benzotriazole, and derivatives thereof. The photosensitive resin composition as described in any one of Claims 1-3 which is at least 1 sort by which it is carried out.   The photosensitive polyurethane resin composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the polyurethane prepolymer contains a polyether-based polyurethane prepolymer or a polyether-polyester-based polyurethane prepolymer. The polyurethane prepolymer is
A polyether polyol or a polyol mixture comprising a polyether polyol and a polyester polyol;
The photosensitive resin composition as described in any one of Claims 1-6 containing the prepolymer obtained by making a (meth) acrylating agent react with the reaction product with polyisocyanate.   The photosensitive resin composition of Claim 7 in which the said polyisocyanate contains aromatic polyisocyanate.   The photosensitive resin composition as described in any one of Claims 1-8 which further contains a thermal-polymerization stabilizer.   The photosensitive resin composition as described in any one of Claims 1-9 which further contains a hindered amine light stabilizer.   The flexographic printing plate containing the hardened | cured material of the photosensitive resin composition as described in any one of Claims 1-10. A cured part forming step of exposing the surface of a molded body formed from the photosensitive resin composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10 to form a cured part on the surface of the molded body;
A development step of developing the cured portion with a cleaning liquid;
An actinic ray irradiation step of irradiating the surface of the developed cured site with an actinic ray;
A method for producing a flexographic printing plate comprising