Lithographic printing plate precursor

Abstract

A lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed, comprising a hydrophilic support having thereon a heat-sensitive layer containing either a microcapsule containing a compound having a functional group capable of reacting by heat or a fine particulate polymer, wherein (1) when the heat-sensitive layer contains a fine particulate polymer, the fine particulate polymer may be a fine particulate polymer capable of combining or incapable of combining by heat used for the image formation and the fine particulate polymer has a functional group capable of reacting with a functional group present in another fine particulate polymer or with a functional group present in another component in the heat-sensitive layer; or (2) when the heat-sensitive layer contains a microcapsule containing a compound having a functional group capable of reacting by heat, the microcapsule may be a microcapsule having an outer wall capable of rupturing or incapable of rupturing by heat used for the image formation and a light-to-heat converting material is contained in the heat-sensitive layer or in a layer adjacent thereto.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a hydrophilic support having thereon a heat-sensitive layer containing either a microcapsule containing a compound having a functional group capable of reacting by heat or a fine particulate polymer, wherein 
 (1) when said heat-sensitive layer contains a fine particulate polymer, said fine particulate polymer may be a fine particulate polymer capable of combining or incapable of combining by heat used for the image formation and said fine particulate polymer has a functional group capable of reacting with a functional group present in another fine particulate polymer or with a functional group present in another component in the heat-sensitive layer; or    (2) when said heat-sensitive layer contains a microcapsule containing a compound having a functional group capable of reacting by heat, said microcapsule may be a microcapsule having an outer wall capable of rupturing or incapable of rupturing by heat used for the image formation and a light-to-heat converting material is contained in the heat-sensitive layer or in a layer adjacent thereto.    
     
     
         2 . The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a hydrophilic support having thereon a heat-sensitive layer containing a fine particulate polymer capable of combining by heat, wherein said fine particulate polymer has a functional group capable of reacting with a functional group present in another fine particulate polymer or with a functional group present in another component in the heat-sensitive layer.  
     
     
         3 . The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said hydrophilic support is an aluminum substrate subjected to a surface roughening treatment and then to an anodization treatment.  
     
     
         4 . The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said aluminum substrate is further subjected to a silicate treatment.  
     
     
         5 . The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a hydrophilic support having thereon a heat-sensitive layer containing a fine particulate polymer incapable of combining by heat used for the image formation, wherein said fine particulate polymer has a functional group capable of reacting with a functional group present in another fine particulate polymer or with a functional group present in another component in the heat-sensitive layer.  
     
     
         6 . The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said hydrophilic support is an aluminum substrate subjected to a surface roughening treatment and then to an anodization treatment.  
     
     
         7 . The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said aluminum substrate is further subjected to a silicate treatment.  
     
     
         8 . The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a hydrophilic support having thereon a heat-sensitive layer comprising a microcapsule having an outer wall incapable of rupturing by heat used for the image formation and containing a compound having a functional group capable of reacting by heat, wherein a light-to-heat converting material is contained in the heat-sensitive layer or in a layer adjacent thereto.  
     
     
         9 . The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said compound diffused from said microcapsule is present either on the surface of said microcapsule or in the vicinity of the surface.  
     
     
         10 . The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in  claim 8 , which is obtained by dispersing microcapsules each containing a compound having a functional group capable of reacting by heat in a solvent which swells the outer wall of said microcapsule, coating said dispersion solution on a hydrophilic support and drying the solution.  
     
     
         11 . The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said hydrophilic support is an aluminum substrate subjected to a surface roughening treatment and then to an anodization treatment.  
     
     
         12 . The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said aluminum substrate is further subjected to a silicate treatment.  
     
     
         13 . The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a hydrophilic support having thereon a heat-sensitive layer comprising a microcapsule having an outer wall capable of rupturing by heat used for the image information and containing a compound having a functional group capable of reacting by the heat, wherein a light-to-heat converting material is contained in the heat-sensitive layer or in a layer adjacent thereto.  
     
     
         14 . The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said hydrophilic support is an aluminum substrate subjected to a surface roughening treatment and then to an anodization treatment.  
     
     
         15 . The lithographic printing plate precursor as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said aluminum substrate is further subjected to a silicate treatment.