Gloss emulsion paints

A process of preparing an aqueous gloss emulsion paint comprising a dispersion of composite particles, said composite particles consisting essentially of an association of at least one particle of an inorganic pigment with at least one polymeric particle, comprising dispersing particles of said inorganic pigment in an aqueous medium at a pH at which said particles have a surface charge and dispersing said polymeric particles in an aqueous medium wherein said polymeric particles have a surface charge, said surface charge on the polymeric particles being positive when the dispersed particles of inorganic pigment have a negative surface charge and negative when the dispersed particles of inorganic pigment have a positive surface charge, mixing the dispersed particles of inorganic pigment with the dispersed polymeric particles under conditions such that the mixing does not produce a reversal of the sign of the surface charge on one of the particulate materials, thus forming composite particles in which the particles of inorganic pigment and the polymeric particles are held in association solely as a result of said surface charges, the polymeric particles being formed from a polymer or copolymer having a minimum film-forming temperature not greater than 50.degree. C. and the composite particles having a composition such that the ratio of polymeric particles to particles of inorganic pigment is in the range 0.5:1 to 6:1 by volume, said paint forming a dried film having a 60.degree. gloss greater than 70%.

An aqueous gloss emulsion paint comprising a dispersion of composite particles, said composite particles consisting essentially of an association of at least one particle of an inorganic pigment with at least one polymeric particle, the polymeric particle being formed from a polymer or copolymer having a minimum film forming temperature not greater than 50.degree. C., the composite particles having a composition such that the ratio of polymeric particles to particles of inorganic pigment is in the range 0.5:1 to 6:1 by volume, the composite particles being obtainable by a process wherein particles of said inorganic pigment are dispersed in an aqueous medium at a pH at which said particles have a surface charge and said polymeric particles are dispersed in an aqueous medium wherein said polymeric particles have a surface charge, said surface charge on the polymeric particles being positive when the dispersed particles of inorganic pigment have a negative surface charge and negative when the dispersed particles of inorganic pigment have a positive surface charge, the dispersed particles of inorganic pigment are mixed with the dispersed polymeric particles under conditions such that the mixing does not produce a reversal of the sign of the surface charge on one of the particulate materials, thus forming composite particles in which the particles of inorganic pigment and the polymeric particles are held in association solely as a result of said surface charges and subsequently adjusting the pH of the dispersion of composite particles so formed to a value in the range of 6 to 10, said paint forming a dried film having a 60.degree. gloss greater than 70%.