Evaluation of Penetration of Acrylate into Printing Blankets by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

The penetration of an acrylate monomer into blankets was investigated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). In order to detect the penetration with CLSM, an oil-soluble dye (Macrolex Yellow 6G) was added to the acrylate monomer. The cleaning solvent for the blanket was stained with Acridine Yellow. The penetration of the acrylate monomer into blankets could be rapidly and minutely estimated with CLSM stain technique. In addition, the distribution of the acrylate monomer in the blanket after blanket cleaning could also be observed in detail. The acrylate monomer could not be removed from within the blanket after blanket cleaning.