Hot Melt Technology and Azura Chemical-Free Processing Plate (2)

The principle of hot melt technology

Hot-melt technology is one of the development directions of CTP plate, and it is the patented technology of AGFA. The basic principle is that the plastic glue particles have the effect of thermal fusion after exposure and condense on the surface of the plate to form a graphic. As shown in Figure 2.

Figure II principle of hot melt technology
Hot-melt technology plate coating is plastic particles coated on hydrophilic media (aluminum substrate). When unexposed, the individual, polymer-polymerized microparticles are tightly packed and fixed by a stable, water-soluble adhesive material that prevents fusion effects (Figure 3). The hot-melt technology plate has good storage properties, and it can be stored for more than 2 weeks at 50oC.

Figure 3 Unexposed plastic particles under an electron microscope
After exposure of the plates, the plastic particles fuse together at high temperatures to form a graphic. Figure 4 shows the plastic particles before and after exposure. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the plastic particles that were fused together after exposure. It clearly shows how the plastic particles are together.

Figure 4 Plastic microparticles under electron microscope before and after exposure

Figure 5 Cross-section of heat-fused microparticle layer after exposure

(to be continued)