▎ 摘　　要

NOVELTY - Preparing a flexographic printing plate precursor comprises (a) providing an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) rubber, (b) mixing a carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphite, porous graphite or graphene, an inorganic filler, and optional vulcanizer and other optional components, to the EPDM rubber to form a compounding mixture, (c) compounding the mixture to form a compounded mixture, (d) calendering the mixture to provide a continuous infrared radiation ablatable layer, and (f) grinding the continuous infrared radiation ablatable layer. USE - The method is useful for preparing flexographic printing plate and sleeve precursors (all claimed), which are useful on: substances such as paper, paperboard stock, corrugated board, polymeric films, fabrics, plastic films, metal foils and laminates; and course surfaces and stretchable polymeric films. ADVANTAGE - The method easily prepares improved laser-ablatable flexographic printing precursors with high throughput efficiency and without the use of process oils that have improved sensitivity (imaging speed), and provides improved print quality and run length in a low cost manner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Preparing a flexographic printing plate precursor comprises (a) providing an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) rubber, (b) mixing a carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphite, porous graphite or graphene in an amount of 1-20 wt.%, an inorganic filler, and optional vulcanizer and other optional components, to the EPDM rubber to form a compounding mixture, (c) compounding the mixture to form a compounded mixture, (d) calendering the mixture to provide a continuous infrared radiation ablatable layer, (e) optionally causing vulcanization in the continuous infrared radiation ablatable layer, and (f) grinding the continuous infrared radiation ablatable layer. The weight ratio of the carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphite, porous graphite or graphene to the inorganic filler or inert microspheres is 1:20-1:5. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for preparing a flexographic printing sleeve precursor, comprising the steps (a)-(c) as above per se, applying the compounded mixture to a printing sleeve core to provide a continuous infrared radiation ablatable sleeve, optionally causing vulcanization in the continuous infrared radiation ablatable sleeve, and grinding the continuous infrared radiation ablatable sleeve to a uniform thickness.