Blended Opacifier for Coatings and Polymeric Matrices

A composite comprising a silicate material and a plurality of titanium dioxide particles disposed on the surface of the silicate material, wherein:

• the silicate material has an average particle size of from about 3 micrometers to about 40 micrometers,
• the titanium dioxide particles have an average particle size of from about 0.15 micrometer to less than about 1 micrometer,
• the titanium dioxide particles have an oil absorption number of from about 15 cc/100 g to about 25 cc/100 g, and
• the weight ratio of the titanium dioxide particles to the silicate material is from about 2:1 to about 10:1.

A method of making a paint or coating formulation, the method comprising:

• (a) mixing a silicate material and a plurality of titanium dioxide particles to form a composite, wherein:
• the silicate material has an average particle size of from about 2 micrometers to about 50 micrometers,
• the titanium dioxide particles have an average particle size of from about 0.15 micrometer to less than about 1 micrometer, and
• the weight ratio of the titanium dioxide particles to the silicate material is from about 2:1 to about 10:1;
• and
• (b) introducing the composite into a liquid system.