To provide a heat sensitive image forming material, containing an IR dyestuff sensitizer, very effective for converting light into heat and capable of being applied through a solvent optimum to water or another environment.
The image forming material, such as a negative type printing plate, an on-press cylinder or the like, can be prepared by using a hydrophilic image forming layer, comprising a heat sensitive hydrophilic polymer having an ionic portion, and an infrared ray sensitive dyestuff, having a multitude of fourth class ammonium groups. The heat sensitive polymer and the IR dystuff can be changed into the image forming composite, high in heat sensitivity, by preparing them in water or a water compatible solvent. In such an image forming material, the polymer reacts whereby the hydrophobic property of an area, exposed to an energy which supplies or generates heat, is improved. For instance, heat can be supplied by the laser irradiation of an IR area in an electromagnetic spectrum. The heat sensitive polymer responds to heat and is switchable whereby a lithographic image is provided without any wet treatment.
LEON JEFFREY W
STEGMAN DAVID A
WILLIAMS KEVIN W
