Highly lubricated imaging element with elastomeric matte

Abstract

A photographic imaging element is disclosed comprising a support having on a front side thereof a silver halide imaging layer and an outermost protective overcoat layer comprising a film-forming binder, and on the backside thereof an outermost protective backcoat layer comprising a film-forming binder; the protective overcoat and backcoat layers each comprising a lubricant present in an amount of at least 5 mg/mand permanent matting agent having a Tof at least 40° C. and an average particle size of from about 0.5 to about 3 micrometers in an amount of at least 1 mg/m; and at least one of the protective overcoat layer or the protective backcoat layer further comprising crosslinked elastomeric polymer matte particles, wherein the crosslinked elastomeric polymer matte particles have a Tof 20° C. or less, an average particle size of at least 90% of or greater than that of the permanent matting agent particles having a Tof at least 40° C. in the protective layer in which the crosslinked elastomeric matte is included, and are present in the protective overcoat layer or protective backcoat layer in an amount which is (i) at least 1 mg/mand (ii) less than the total level of permanent matting agent particles having a Tof at least 40° C. in the protective overcoat and backcoat layers combined. Imaging elements comprising highly lubricated protective outermost layers in accordance with the invention advantageously provide increased scratch and wear resistance, while the presence of relatively low Tcrosslinked elastomeric matte particles in combination with higher Tpermanent matte particles has been found to increase the coefficient of friction of the layer in which they are included to provide good manufacturability of the imaging element while also maintaining wear and other desired film performance properties.