Aqueous coating compositions with improved tint strength and gloss properties, comprising pigments surface-treated with certain organosilicon compounds

The present invention concerns aqueous coating systems, providing an aqueous coating composition which comprises water, a film-forming component and at least one inorganic pigment surface treated with one or more organosilicon compounds from the alkyltrialkoxysilanes, the dialkyldialkoxysilanes and mixtures, oligomers, and copolymers of the alkyltrialkoxysilanes and dialkyldialkoxysilanes, wherein the alkyl groups contain from three to six carbon atoms and optionally contain an oxygen atom or contain fluorine and/or chlorine heteroatoms. By controlling and limiting the amounts used of these organosilicon surface treatments, the dispersibility of a conventionally hydrophilic inorganic pigment such as titanium dioxide is not materially adversely affected, but improvements are at the same time afforded in terms of the compatibility of the pigment with the film-forming component, as demonstrated by improved tint strength and gloss properties in a paint composition.