Application of Natural Rubbers as Blend Component in Formulation of Flexographic Printing Photopolymer. Part I: Effect of Natural Rubber Types, Blend Ratios as well as Types and Quantities of Acrylate Monomer

作者：Thitithammawong A^*; Nakason C; Warawat T

来源：Journal of Rubber Research, 2014, 17(3): 143-160.

• Flexographic printing
• natural rubber
• photopolymer
• styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer
• relief printing plate

Flexographic printing photopolymer based on natural rubber (NR) was prepared by blending rubber with styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS) in solution state using toluene as a solvent. The effect of NR types i.e. NR, epoxidised natural rubbers 25 (ENR 25 (R)), ENR 50 (R) and actylated epoxidised natural rubber (AENR) on the properties of photopolymer was studied at various rubber:SIS blend ratios. The influence of types and quantities of acrylate monomer on the properties of flexographic printing photopolymer was also investigated. The results show that tensile strength, elongation at break and tension set as well as abrasion resistance decreased with an increase of rubber content in the blends. Different types of rubber gave rubber/SIS photopolymers optimal properties at different blend ratios. The photopolyrners which were prepared by blending NR/SIS, ENR 25 (R)/SIS at 25/75 wt/wt and AENR/SIS at 10/90 wt/wt together with 10% of trimetylolpropane triacrylate monomer and 5% of Irgacure 819 photoinitiator provided properties, i.e. tensile properties, swelling resistance in ink and printability that were comparable to those of the commercial photopolymer. A relief printing plate from ultraviolet exposed photopolymer was later prepared. The imaging ability of NR based relief printing plates (NR/SIS and AENR/SIS) was comparable to relief printing plate from commercial photopolymer.

• 出版日期2014