Presensitized plate substrate, often called a "PS plate, " is a type of printing plate used in offset printing. It consists of a thin layer of photosensitive material coated on an aluminum base. The photosensitive layer is usually a photosensitive polymer or diazo compound.
The aluminum alloy used as the base material of PS plate is usually aluminum 1050 or aluminum 1060 or aluminum 1070 or aluminum 1052. These alloys were chosen for their excellent corrosion resistance, processability, and surface finish properties that are critical to the platemaking process.
| Alloy | 1050, 1052, 1060, 1070 |
| Temper | H16, H18 |
| Thickness (mm) | 0.13-1.50 |
| Width (mm) | 500-1600 |
| Length (mm) | 500-2000 |
| Coil ID (mm) | 150-510 |
1050 1052 1060 1070 Pre-Sensitized Plate Substrat Aluminum Advantages
- 1. Light weight: Aluminum is lightweight, which makes it easier to handle the printing plate during the printing process.
- 2. Corrosion resistance: Aluminum has natural corrosion resistance, ensuring the service life of the printing plate.
- 3. Mechanical properties: The aluminum alloy used in PS plates has good mechanical properties, such as strength and durability, which are crucial for the printing process.
- 4. Flatness: Aluminum plates have excellent flatness, which is crucial for achieving high-quality prints with precise registration.
- 5. Recyclability: Aluminum is highly recyclable, making it an environmentally friendly choice for printing applications.
Aluminum's many properties make it an ideal substrate for PS plates, helping to improve the efficiency and quality of the offset lithography process.
The chemical composition of the Pre-sensitized plate substrate
| Element | Composition (%) | ||
| 1050 | 1060 | 1070 | |
| Aluminum (Al) | ≥99.5 | ≥99.6 | ≥99.7 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.0-0.25 | 0.0-0.25 | 0.0-0.2 |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.0-0.4 | 0.0-0.35 | 0.0-0.25 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.0-0.05 | 0.0-0.05 | 0.0-0.04 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.0-0.05 | 0.0-0.03 | 0.0-0.03 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.0-0.05 | 0.0-0.03 | 0.0-0.03 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.0-0.05 | 0.0-0.05 | 0.0-0.04 |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0.0-0.03 | 0.0-0.03 | 0.0-0.03 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.0-0.05 | 0.0-0.05 | 0.0-0.05 |
| Remainder (each) | 0.0-0.03 | 0.0-0.03 | 0.0-0.03 |
| Remainder (total) | - | - | - |
The mechanical properties of the Pre-sensitized plate substrate
| Alloy | 1050, 1052, 1060, 1070 | ||
| Temper | H18 | H16 | |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | ≥ | 150 | 130-170 |
| Elongation Ａ50mm(%) | 1 | 2 | |
Allowable thickness deviation of Pre-sensitized plate substrate
| Thickness(mm) | Product Categories | Allowable deviation(mm) |
| ≤0.20 | all | ±0.005 |
| ＞0.20-0.30 | conventional printing plate, strip | ±0.01 |
| color printing plate, strip | ±0.008 | |
| CTP plate, strip | ±0.005 | |
| ＞0.30-0.50 | all | ±0.015 |
Categories and applications of Pre-sensitized aluminum substrate
1. Printing industry
Offset printing plates: PS aluminum substrates are widely used in offset printing plates. A photosensitive coating on aluminum enables high-resolution image reproduction, making it ideal for printing newspapers, magazines, packaging and other commercial materials.
2. Electronic industry
Circuit Board: PS aluminum substrate can be used to manufacture printed circuit boards (PCB). The photosensitive layer can be selectively exposed to UV light and developed to create circuit patterns, thereby facilitating the production of electronic components and devices.
3. Photography
Photo printing: PS aluminum substrate is used in photo printing process. Photosensitive coatings transfer images to substrates with high fidelity and detail, making them suitable for professional and fine art photography applications.
4. Signage and Graphics
Signage: PS aluminum substrate is used for outdoor signage due to its weather resistance and durability. They can withstand harsh environmental conditions and are suitable for signage in urban areas, highways and industrial facilities.
Decorative graphics: PS aluminum substrates can be used for decorative purposes such as creating custom graphics for architectural elements, interior design and art installations.
5. Car license plate
License plate: PS aluminum substrate is used to manufacture vehicle license plates. Photosensitive coatings enable the application of high-quality graphics, text and serial numbers, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and enhancing vehicle identification.
6. Industrial applications
Labels and Tags: PS aluminum substrate is used to manufacture durable labels and tags for industrial equipment, machinery and products. The photosensitive layer ensures long-lasting print quality, resistance to abrasion and chemical exposure.
Nameplate: PS aluminum substrate is used to produce nameplates and identification labels for industrial machinery, electrical appliances and electronic equipment. The photosensitive coating accurately marks alphanumeric characters, logos and serial numbers.
7. Solar panel industry
Solar Reflectors: PS aluminum substrates can be used to manufacture solar reflectors used in concentrated solar power (CSP) systems. The reflective surface enhances the concentration of sunlight and improves solar energy collection and conversion efficiency.
Differences between 1050 1060 and 1070 as pre-sensitized aluminum substrates
1050, 1060 and 1070 are all commonly used aluminum alloys in a variety of applications, including pre-sensitized aluminum substrates (PS versions). While these alloys share some similarities, there are also differences in their chemical compositions and properties that may affect their suitability for specific applications. Here is a comparison of the three alloys:
1050 aluminum alloy
- Composition: 1050 aluminum alloy is mainly composed of aluminum, with a minimum aluminum content of 99.5%. It may contain small amounts of other elements such as iron and silicon.
- Properties: 1050 alloy has excellent corrosion resistance, high electrical conductivity and good thermal conductivity. It is also relatively soft and highly formable, making it suitable for applications requiring deep drawing or bending.
- Application: Due to its excellent formability and corrosion resistance, 1050 aluminum alloy is commonly used in printing (for offset printing plates), electronics (for PCB), packaging and other industries.
1060 aluminum alloy
- Composition: 1060 aluminum alloy is also mainly composed of aluminum, with a minimum aluminum content of 99.6%. Like 1050, it may contain trace amounts of other elements.
- Properties: 1060 alloy has similar properties to 1050, including excellent corrosion resistance, high electrical conductivity and good thermal conductivity. It is also soft and highly formable, making it suitable for a variety of molding processes.
- Applications: Applications for 1060 aluminum alloy are similar to 1050, including printed boards, PCBs, and packaging. Its properties make it particularly suitable for applications requiring high electrical conductivity, such as power transmission lines and busbars.
1070 aluminum alloy
- Composition: 1070 aluminum alloy is mainly composed of aluminum, with a minimum aluminum content of 99.7%. It often contains trace amounts of other elements such as iron and silicon.
- Properties: Alloy 1070 shares many of the same properties as 1050 and 1060, including excellent corrosion resistance, high electrical conductivity, and good thermal conductivity. Like the other two alloys, it is soft and highly formable.
- Applications: 1070 aluminum alloy is commonly used in similar applications to 1050 and 1060, including printed boards, PCBs, and packaging. Its slightly higher purity can provide improved conductivity in some applications.
While 1050, 1060, and 1070 aluminum alloys have similar properties and are suitable for similar applications as presensitized aluminum substrates, differences in their chemical compositions and minor changes in properties may make them more suitable for specific applications or processing methods .