Two latices-the poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)/poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl acrylate-co-methacrylic acid) system (PA latex) and the PDMS/poly(vinyl acetate-co-butyl acrylate) system (PB latex)-were prepared by seeded emulsion polymerization, and PA/PB complex latices were obtained through the interparticle complexation of the PA latex with the PB latex. In addition, for the further study of the interparticle complexation of the PA latex with the PB latex, copolymer latices [PDMS/methyl methacrylate-co-butyl acrylate-co-vinyl acetate-co-methacrylic acid) (PC)] were prepared according to the monomer recipe of the complex latices and the polymerization process of the component latices. The properties of the obtained polymer latices and complex latices were investigated with surface-tension, contact-angle, and viscosity measurements. The mechanical properties of the coatings obtained from the latices were investigated with tensile-strength measurements. The results showed that, in comparison with the two component latices (PA latex and PB latex) and the corresponding copolymer latices (PC latices), the PA/PB complex latices had lower surface tension, lower viscosities, and better wettability to different substrates. The tensile strengths of the coatings obtained from the complex latices were higher than the tensile strengths of the coatings from the two component latices and copolymer latices. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.