Low VOC coating composition

1. A pigmented, aqueous coating composition comprising i) an aqueous dispersion of non-crosslinkable addition oligomer of weight average molecular weight of from 5000 to 15000 Daltons and calculated Fox Tg greater than 0° C. and less than 50° C., ii) an aqueous dispersion of addition polymer of weight average molecular weight greater than 53,000 Daltons, calculated Fox Tg greater than 10° C. and less than 40° C. and mean particle diameter of less than 150 nanometers and the ratio of i):ii) is from 0.25:1 to 2.70:1 based on % weight dispersion solids, and iii) a pigment, and wherein the composition has an open time of from 6±1 to 12±3 minutes, and never more than 15 minutes; and when dry has a gloss of at least 75%.

2. A coating composition according to claim 1 wherein the polymer and oligomer are derived from monomer mixtures selected from the group consisting of esters of (meth)acrylic acid, styrene and styrene derivatives.

3. A coating composition according to claim 2 , wherein the oligomer further comprises (meth)acrylic acid.

4. A coating composition according to claim 1 wherein the oligomer further comprises (meth)acrylic acid.

5. A coating composition according to claim 4 wherein the oligomer has an acid value of from 25 to 55 mg KOH/g.

6. A coating composition according to claim 4 which also contains ingredients selected from the group consisting of pigments, fillers, waxes, extenders, rheological modifiers, dispersants, flow aids and biocides.

7. A coating composition according to claim 5 wherein the oligomer has a weight average molecular weight of from 7500 to 12500 Daltons.

8. A coating composition according to claim 7 wherein the oligomer is free of methoxypolyethylene glycol methacrylate.

9. A coating composition according to claim 8 which also contains ingredients selected from the group consisting of pigments, fillers, waxes, extenders, rheological modifiers, dispersants, flow aids and biocides.

10. A process of applying to a substrate a coating according to claim 9 and causing or allowing said coating to dry to form a solid layer with a gloss of at least 75%.

11. Method of using the polymer and oligomer in combination as defined in claim 1 by applying said combination to a substrate to provide a pigmented, aqueous coating composition which has an open time of from 6±1 to 12±3 minutes and never more than 15 minutes; and when dry has a measured gloss of at least 75%.

12. A method of making the addition oligomer of claim 1 comprising the steps of making a monomer in water emulsion by i) mixing the monomers, water and surfactant and optionally hydrophobic material to form a mixture ii) exposing the mixture of i) to high shear mixing to form a monomer in water emulsion and causing the monomers to polymerise and form the addition oligomer dispersion.

13. A coating composition according to claim 1 wherein the oligomer has an acid value of from 25 to 55 mg KOH/g.

14. A coating composition according to claim 1 wherein the oligomer has a weight average molecular weight of from 7500 to 12500 Daltons.

15. A coating composition according to claim 1 wherein the oligomer is free of methoxy polyethylene glycol methacrylate.

16. A coating composition according to claim 1 which also contains ingredients selected from the group consisting of pigments, tillers, waxes, extenders, rheological modifiers, dispersants, flow aids and biocides.

17. A process of applying to a substrate a coating according to claim 1 and causing or allowing said coating to dry to form a solid layer with a gloss of at least 75%.