RESUMEN

The structure of the porous aluminium-oxide layer, which builds non-image areas, has the most significant influence on the quality of final graphical product. This paper presents the results of the application of EIS in the characterisation and detection of changes on the aluminium-oxide layer caused by chemical processing in highly alkaline solution. The Al2O3 layer was characterised using SEM, fractal dimension and surface free energy calculation and EIS analysis. The results of the investigation showed that chemical processing has a significant influence on the structure of aluminium-oxide which could lead to a decrease in the quality of the printing plate. EIS enables the detection of changes on the aluminium-oxide layer. The two equivalent circuits are proposed. Based on modelling with the obtained EIS spectra, precise evaluation of developing time in which complete removal of the photoactive layer is achieved. This makes EIS a powerful tool in optimizing chemical processing of lithographic printing plates.