Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles and process for producing the same

Abstract: Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles suitable for use as a pigment comprise iron oxide hydroxide core particles provided with a composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al on the surface thereof, wherein: (i) the amount of Al in the composite oxide hydroxide is from 0.1 to 10 % by weight, calculated as Al, based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide core particle; (ii) the amount of Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide is 0.1 to 50 % by weight, calculated as Fe, based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide core particle; (iii) the ratio of Al to Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide is from 0.05:1 to 2:1, calculated as Al and Fe atoms; and (iv) said yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles have an average major axis diameter of from 0.1 to 1.0 µm, an average minor axis diameter of from 0.02 to 0.10 µm, an aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) of from 2 to 20, a BET specific surface area of from 10 to 180 m 2 /g and a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 255°C.

Description: The present invention relates to yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles and a process for producing the particles. Yellow pigments have been extensively used in the form of dispersion in resins or vehicles as color pigments for the production of resin compositions, paints, printing inks and asphalt for road construction. Since yellow color is effective for indicating restraints, warnings or cautions in traffic control, the yellow pigments have been especially widely used to color pigments for asphalt for road construction or paints for traffic control signs (traffic paints). These yellow pigments are required to exhibit not only an excellent dispersion in resins or vehicles but also an excellent heat resistance. As conventional yellow pigments, there have been extensively used lead chromate, strontium chromate, cadmium sulfide, iron oxide hydroxide or the like. The above-mentioned lead chromate, strontium chromate and cadmium sulfide have been widely used as color pigments for resins, paints, printing inks, etc., because of an excellent heat resistance thereof. However, it is known that these conventional yellow pigments exhibit toxicity and carcinogenicity. Therefore, there has been a strong demand for alternate yellow pigments from the viewpoints of hygiene and safety as well as prevention of environmental pollution. On the other hand, the iron oxide hydroxide particles are nontoxic yellow pigments and, therefore, more suitable from the standpoints of not only hygiene and safety but also prevention of environmental pollution. However, there is a problem that the iron oxide hydroxide particles is deteriorated in heat resistance. Specifically, since the iron oxide hydroxide particles has a chemical composition of Fe 2 O 3 ·nH 2 O, i.e., contain crystallization water therein, dehydration from the particles is generally initiated at about 200°C as the heating temperature is elevated. When the heating temperature is further elevated, the iron oxide hydroxide particles are transformed into reddish brown hematite (α-Fe 2 O 3 ) at about 230°C. For this reason, it is difficult to use the iron oxide hydroxide particles as a color pigment of thermoplastic resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, styrene polymers, polyamides, polyolefins or ABS resins which are usually molded at as high a temperature as not less than 200°C, or traffic paints which are subjected to heating and melting treatments at a temperature of 200 to 260°C upon use thereof. In order to improve the heat resistance of the iron oxide hydroxide particles, various treatments have been proposed or attempted. However, since such iron oxide hydroxide particles show a large change in hue between before and after these treatments, it becomes difficult to attain a good product design from the viewpoint of hue which is essential and critical to color pigments. Accordingly, there has been a demand that the change in hue of the iron oxide hydroxide particles between before and after these heat resistance-improving treatments is as small as possible. As various methods proposed of attempted to improve the heat resistance of iron oxide hydroxide particles, for example, hitherto, there have been proposed (1) a method of subjecting iron oxide hydroxide particles to hydrothermal treatment (autoclaving treatment) in water or in an aqueous alkaline solution using an autoclave (Japanese Patent Publication (KOKOKU) No. 53-28158(1978), etc.); (2) a method of coating surfaces of iron oxide hydroxide particles with an aluminum compound, a silicon compound or the like, a method of incorporating these compounds into the iron oxide hydroxide particles in the form of a solid solution thereof (Japanese Patent Publication (KOKOKU) No. 6-17237(1994), Japanese Patent Application Laid-open (KOKAI) No. 9-16553(1997), etc.); (3) a method using the combination of the above-mentioned methods (1) and (2) (Japanese Patent Publications (KOKOKU) Nos. 49-16531(1974), 54-7293(1979) and 55-8462(1980), Japanese Patent Application Laid-open (KOKAI) No. 57-57755(1982), etc.); or the like. More specifically, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open (KOKAI) No. 9-165531 (which was laid-open on June 24, 1997), there is described a process for producing heat-resistant yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles, which comprises heat-treating iron oxide hydroxide particles in an aqueous alkaline solution having a pH value of not less than 10, followed by filtering and washing with water, thereby reducing the content of a soluble sulfate in the iron oxide hydroxide particles to not more than 2,000 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ); heat-treating the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles in an aqueous acid solution having a pH value of not more than 4, followed by filtering and washing with water, thereby reducing the content of a soluble sodium salt in the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles to not more than 1,000 ppm (calculated as Na), thereby obtaining a high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles containing less amounts of the soluble sulfate and the soluble sodium salt; adjusting the pH value of a water dispersion containing the high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles to not less than 10 or not more than 4; adding an aluminum compound to the water dispersion, followed by stirring; and adjusting again the pH value of the resultant water dispersion to 5 to 9 to deposit a hydroxide of aluminum on surfaces of the high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles. In Japanese Patent Publication (KOKOKU) No. 54-7293(1979), there is described a process for producing a stabilized iron oxide pigment, which comprises hydrothermal-treating (autoclaving) an alkaline aqueous slurry containing iron oxide pigment particles at not more than 250°C, and treating the slurry under ordinary pressure in the presence of fine oxide hydroxide of at least one element selected from the group consisting of zirconium, titanium, aluminum and antimony to deposit the oxide hydroxide on surfaces of the pigment particles. In Japanese Patent Publication (KOKOKU) No. 55-8462(1980), there are described a heat-resistant yellow iron oxide hydroxide pigment containing AlOOH in the form thereof and, and a process for producing a heat-resistant yellow iron oxide hydroxide pigment containing AlOOH in the form thereof and, which comprises adding alkali to an aqueous solution of ferrous salt to form a colloidal precipitate; and after aging the colloidal precipitate, adding thereto a water-soluble or alkali-soluble aluminum compound and a water-soluble silicate, tin salt or zinc salt to conduct a hydrothermal treatment. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-open (KOKAI) No. 57-57755(1982), there is described a method of improving properties of yellow iron oxide hydroxide pigment, which comprises dispersing yellow iron oxide hydroxide (having a chemical structure of α-FeOOH) in water or a 10N or less-alkali aqueous solution to conduct a hydrothermal treatment at 100 to 250°C; and adding at least one of an oxide, an oxide salt and a hydroxide of silicon, aluminum or magnesium to the dispersion to conduct a hydrothermal treatment again at 100 to 250°C. Presently, most demanded yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles are those not only having an excellent dispersibility and an enhanced heat resistance but also exhibiting less change in hue between before and after treatment for improving the heat resistance thereof. However, such yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles satisfying all of the above-mentioned properties have been still unavailable until now. That is, in the case of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles treated by the above-mentioned method (1), although the heat resistance thereof is improved, the configuration and particle size distribution of the particles are considerably changed between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment, resulting in large change in hue of the particles therebetween. In the case of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles treated by the above-mentioned method (2), although the change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment is restricted to a small level, the dispersibility and the heat resistance of the obtained particles are unsatisfactory because yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles as agglomerated are coated with an aluminum compound or the like. Further, in the case of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles treated by the above-mentioned method (3), although the heat resistance is improved, the change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment becomes considerably large similarly to those treated by the method (1). The present inventors have already successfully produced yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles having not only an excellent dispersibility and an enhanced heat resistance but also less change in hue between the heat resistance improving treatment (Japanese Patent Application No. 7-348047(1995) corresponding to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open (KOKAI) No. 9-165531(1997)). However, it has been strongly demanded to still further improve properties of such yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles, especially dispersibility and heat resistance thereof, which exert significant influences on not only workability but also quality and functions of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles. It is an object of the present invention to provide yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles not only having an excellent dispersibility and an enhanced heat resistance but also exhibiting less change in hue between before and after heat resistance-improving treatment. It is another object of the present invention to provide a pigment which is excellent in workability, dispersibility and heat resistance, and a paint containing such a pigment. Accordingly, the present invention provides yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles comprising iron oxide hydroxide core particles provided with a composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al on the surface thereof, wherein: (i) the amount of Al in the composite oxide hydroxide is from 0.1 to 10 % by weight, calculated as Al, based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide core particle; (ii) the amount of Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide is 0.1 to 50 % by weight, calculated as Fe, based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide core particle; (iii) the ratio of Al to Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide is from 0.05:1 to 2:1, calculated as Al and Fe atoms; and (iv) said yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles have an average major axis diameter of from 0.1 to 1.0 µm, an average minor axis diameter of from 0.02 to 0.10 µm, an aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) of from 2 to 20, a BET specific surface area of from 10 to 180 m 2 /g and a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 255°C. The present invention further provides: use of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles of the invention as a pigment; a paint comprising a paint base material and the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles of the invention; a rubber or resin composition comprising a rubber or resin base material and the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles of the invention; and a process for producing the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles of the invention, comprising: (i) adding to a water dispersion containing iron oxide hydroxide particles, an aluminum compound and a ferrous salt compound in amounts of 0.1 to 10 % by weight, calculated as Al, and 0.1 to 50 % by weight, calculated as Fe, respectively, based on the weight of said iron oxide hydroxide particles, whilst stirring; and (ii) passing a molecular oxygen-containing gas through the resulting dispersion to provide a composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al on surfaces of said iron oxide hydroxide particles. The yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles of the present invention, comprise iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core and composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al deposited on surface of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core. The amount of Al in the composite oxide hydroxide deposited is 0.1 to 10 % by weight, preferably 0.15 to 8.0 % by weight (calculated as Al), based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core. When the amount of Al is less than 0.1 % by weight, aimed effects of the present invention, i.e., effects for improving dispersibility and heat resistance of the particles, cannot be obtained. On the other hand, when the amount of Al is more than 10 % by weight, the aimed effects of the present invention are already almost saturated and, therefore, the use of such a large amount of Al is economically disadvantageous. The amount of Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide deposited is 0.1 to 50 % by weight, preferably 0.15 to 30 % by weight (calculated as Fe), based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core. When the amount of Fe is less than 0.1 % by weight, aimed effects of the present invention, i.e., effects for improving dispersibility and heat resistance of the particles, cannot be obtained. On the other hand, when the amount of Fe is more than 50 % by weight, the aimed effects of the present invention are already almost saturated and, therefore, the use of such a large amount of Fe is economically disadvantageous. The ratio of Al : Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide deposited is 1:0.5 to 1:20 (0.05:1 to 2:1), preferably 1:1 to 1:10 (0.1:1 to 1:1) (calculated as Al and Fe atoms). When the ratio of Al : Fe is out of the above-mentioned range, aimed effects of the present invention, i.e., effects for improving dispersibility and heat resistance of the particles, cannot be obtained. The yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles of the present invention, may have an average major axis diameter of 0.1 to 1.0 µm, preferably 0.15 to 0.8 µm, an average minor axis diameter of 0.02 to 0.10 µm, preferably 0.025 to 0.08 µm, an aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) 2 to 20, preferably 2.5 to 15, and a BET specific surface area of 10 to 180 m 2 /g, preferably 12 to 150 m 2 /g. The heat-resistance temperature of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles of the present invention is usually not less than 255°C, preferably not less than 265°C, more preferably not less than 270°C. The yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles may further exhibit less change in hue between before and after heat resistance-improving treatment, specifically may exhibit such a small change in hue from that of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core, as represented by ΔL* value of usually -1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5, Δa* value of usually -1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5 and Δb* value of usually -1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5. In addition, the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles of the present invention may further exhibit a gloss of 70 to 120 %, preferably 80 to 110 % when light is irradiated on a coating film containing the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles at an incident angle of 20° This indicates that the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to the present invention can show an excellent dispersibility. The yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles may further comprise a hydroxide of aluminum provided on the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide and have a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 265°C. The amount of the hydroxide of aluminum deposited on the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide according to the present invention is usually 0.1 to 20.0 % by weight, preferably 0.15 to 5.0 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core on which the composite oxide hydroxide is deposited. When the amount of the hydroxide of aluminum deposited is less than 0.1 % by weight, aimed effects of the present invention, effects for improving dispersibility and heat resistance of the particles, may not be obtained. On the other hand, when the amount of the hydroxide of aluminum deposited is more than 20 % by weight, the aimed effects of the present invention are already almost saturated and, therefore, the use of such a large amount of the hydroxide of aluminum deposited is economically disadvantageous. The heat-resistance temperature of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles of this aspect of the present invention is not less than 265°C, preferably not less than 275°C. Further, the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles may exhibit a gloss of 75 to 115 %, preferably 85 to 115 % when light is irradiated on a coating film containing the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles at an incident angle of 20°. This indicates that the above-defined yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles can show an excellent dispersibility. The yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles can be high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles which have a soluble sodium salt content of usually not more than 1,000 ppm, preferably not more than 700 ppm, more preferably not more than 500 ppm (calculated as Na); a soluble sulfate content of usually not more than 2,000 ppm, preferably not more than 1,500 ppm, more preferably not more than 1,000 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ) ; and a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 265°C. By limiting the soluble sodium salt content and the soluble sulfate content to the above-specified ranges, aimed effects of the present invention, i.e., effects for improving dispersibility and heat resistance of the particles, can be achieved in more excellent. The heat-resistance temperature of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles of this aspect of the present invention is not less than 265°C, preferably not less than 270°C or 275°C, more preferably not less than 280°C. Further, the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles of the aspect of the present invention may exhibit a gloss of 80 to 120 %, preferably 85 to 120 % or 90 to 115%, when light is irradiated on a coating film containing the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles at an incident angle of 20°. This indicates that the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles can also show an excellent dispersibility. Alternatively, the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles can be high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles which comprise a hydroxide of aluminum provided on the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide and which have a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 275°C, a soluble sodium salt content of usually not more than 1,000 ppm, preferably not more than 700 ppm, more preferably not more than 500 ppm (calculated as Na), and a soluble sulfate content of usually not more than 2,000 ppm, preferably not more than 1,500 ppm, more preferably not more than 1,000 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ). By controlling the soluble sodium salt content and the soluble sulfate content to the above-specified ranges, aimed effects of the present invention, i.e., effects for improving dispersibility and heat resistance of the particles, can be achieved in more excellent. The amount of the hydroxide of aluminum deposited on the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide is 0.1 to 20.0 % by weight, preferably 0.15 to 5.0 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core on which the composite oxide hydroxide is deposited. When the amount of the hydroxide of aluminum deposited is less than 0.1 % by weight, aimed effects of the present invention, i.e., effects for improving dispersibility and heat resistance of the particles, may not be obtained. On the other hand, when the amount of the hydroxide of aluminum deposited is more than 20 % by weight, the aimed effects of the present invention are already almost saturated and, therefore, the use of such a large amount of the hydroxide of aluminum deposited is economically disadvantageous. The heat-resistance temperature of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles in this aspect of the present invention is preferably not less than 280°C. Further, the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles may have a gloss of 85 to 120 %, preferably 90 to 120 % when light is irradiated on a coating film containing the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles at an incident angle of 20°. This indicates that the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles can also show an excellent dispersibility. The yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to the present invention are useful as a yellow pigment because of an inherent color tone thereof. The yellow pigment according to the present invention may be used as color pigments for a water-based paint, a solvent-based paint and a rubber or resin composition. Next, the water-based paint and solvent-based paint according to the present invention is described as follows. The water-based paint according to the present invention is a paint prepared by using water as a main solvent, and therefore, includes both water-soluble paints and water-dispersion paints. The water-dispersion paints may further include emulsion-type paints and colloidal dispersion-type paints. The water-based paint according to the present invention comprises a paint base material and a color pigment dispersed therein. The amount of the color pigment dispersed may be in the range of 10 to 90 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the paint base material. In view of handling of the obtained paint, the amount of the color pigment dispersed is preferably in the range of 20 to 60 parts by weight, more preferably 30 to 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the paint base material. Meanwhile, the color pigment according to the present invention can also be suitably applied to organic solvent-type paints. In this case, the organic solvent-type paint comprises a paint base material and a color pigment dispersed therein. The amount of the color pigment dispersed may be in the range of 10 to 90 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the basic constituting material. In view of handling of the obtained organic solvent-type paint, the amount of the pigment dispersed is preferably 20 to 60 parts by weight, more preferably 30 to 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the paint base material. The paint base material may contain, if required, extender pigment particles, a drying accelerator, a surfactant, a curing promoter, auxiliaries or the like. The amount of the solvent used in the paint according to the present invention is preferably 50 to 5,000 parts by weight, more preferably 100 to 2,000 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the resin. When the amount of the solvent is less than 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the resin, the vehicle viscosity of the paint may become too high so that it is difficult to perform homogeneous mixing and dispersion. On the other hand, when the amount of the solvent is more than 5,000 parts by weight, the solvent content in the paint may increase to such an extent that the dispersing shear force does not act on the particles during mixing and dispersion. The resins for water-based paints usable in the present invention may include those commonly used for this purpose, such as water-soluble alkyd resins, water-soluble acrylic resins, water-soluble urethane resins, water-soluble epoxy resins, water-soluble melamine resins, acrylic emulsion resin, acrylic styrene emulsion resins, urethane emulsion resins, epoxy emulsion resins, vinyl acetate emulsion resins or the like. As the resins for organic solvent-type paints, there can be used those commonly used for this purpose, such as acrylic resins, alkyd resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, epoxy resins, phenol resins, melamine resins, amino resins or the like. Examples of the solvents for water-based paints used in the present invention may include those commonly used for this purpose, such as water, butyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, propylene glycol, monomethyl ether, methyl cellosolve acetate, butoxyethyl acetate, ethoxyethanol, hexoxyethanol, methyl ethyl ketone, phenyl glycol ether, ethanol, butyl alcohol, butoxyethanol, propanol, propoxypropanol or the like. As the solvents for organic solvent-type paints, there can be exemplified those commonly used for this purpose, such as toluene, xylene, butyl acetate, methyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, butyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, butyl alcohol, aliphatic hydrocarbons or the like. As the defoaming agents used in the present invention, there may be exemplified commercially available products such as NOPCO 8034, SN DEFOAMER 477, SN DEFOAMER 5013, SN DEFOAMER 247, SN DEFOAMER 382 (tradenames: produced by SANNOPCO CO., LTD.), ANTIFOAM 08, EMULGEN 903 (tradenames: produced by KAO CO., LTD.) or BYK-020 (tradename: produced by BYK CO., LTD.). In the water-based paints, there may also be used film-forming assistants such as alcohols or glycol ethers. The emulsion-type paints can be prepared by adding a pigment, an additive, water and if necessary, an organic solvent to an emulsion resin. As the additives, there may be exemplified dispersant, rust preventive, defoaming agent, film-forming agent or the like. As the film-forming agents, there may be used higher alcohols, glycols and hydrocarbons. The colloidal dispersion-type paints may be composed of a colloidal dispersion resin, a pigment, an additive, a neutralizer, water, an organic solvent or the like. As the additives for the colloidal dispersion-type paints, there may be exemplified dispersant, defoaming agent, rust preventive or the like, i.e., the same additives as those for the emulsion-type paints except film-forming agent. The water-based paints may be composed of a water-soluble resin, a pigment, an additive, water, an organic solvents or the like. As the additives for the water-based paints, there may be exemplified dispersant, defoaming agent, neutralizer, rust preventive or the like. In addition, if required, the water-based paint may further contain extender pigment, aggregate, neutralizer, film-forming assistant, pigment dispersant, pigment wetting agent, thickener (viscosity-imparting agent); antiseptic agent, mildew proofing agent, antifreezing agent, rust preventive, dryer or the like. The water-based paint according to the present invention can be produced by dispersing the pigment according to the present invention and the above-mentioned paint base material in specific weight ratios in water by a commonly used mixer such as ball mill, roll mill, homomixer, shaker, attritor or sand grinder. The rubber or resin composition according to the present invention is described in detail. In the rubber or resin composition according to the present invention, the color pigment may be blended therein in an amount of 0.01 to 200 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a constituent base material for the rubber or resin composition. In view of easiness in handling the rubber or resin composition, the amount of the color pigment blended therein is preferably in the range of 0.05 to 100 parts by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 50 parts by weight. The constituent base material for the rubber or resin composition according to the present invention may contain a conventional rubber or thermoplastic resin and if required, other additives such as a lubricant, a plasticizer, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet light absorber or various other stabilizers. The amount of the additive added is not more than 50 % by weight based on the total weight of the color pigment and the rubber or the thermoplastic resin. When the amount of the additive added is more than 50 % by weight, the moldability of the composition is deteriorated. The rubber or resin composition according to the present invention can be used in the form of a molded product which is prepared by preliminarily intimately mixing the rubber or resin raw material and the color pigment with each other, applying an intense shearing force to the mixture while heating by using a kneader or an extruder to destroy aggregates of the color pigment and homogeneously disperse the color pigment in the rubber or the resin, and thereafter molding the resultant mixture into an aimed shape. The iron oxide hydroxide particles used as a core in the present invention may be produced by the following methods: (A) A method of passing an oxygen-containing gas through a suspension containing ferrous hydroxide colloid obtained by adding to an aqueous ferrous salt solution, an aqueous alkali hydroxide solution in an amount of not less than one equivalent based on the aqueous ferrous salt solution, so as to subject the suspension to oxidation reaction at a pH value of not less than 11 and a temperature of not less than 80°C, thereby producing acicular iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles; (B) A method of passing an oxygen-containing gas through a suspension containing FeCO 3 obtained by reacting an aqueous ferrous salt solution with an aqueous alkali carbonate solution, if required, after aging the suspension, so as to subject the suspension to oxidation reaction at pH value of 8 to 10, thereby producing spindle-shaped iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles; (C) A method of passing an oxygen-containing gas through an aqueous ferrous salt solution containing ferrous hydroxide colloid obtained by adding to an aqueous solution of ferrous salt, an aqueous alkali hydroxide solution or aqueous alkali carbonate solution in an amount of less than one equivalent based on the aqueous solution of ferrous salt, so as to subject the aqueous ferrous salt solution to oxidation reaction, thereby producing acicular iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) core particles from the solution having a pH value of not more than 4; mixing the aqueous ferrous salt solution containing the acicular iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) core particles with not less than one equivalent of an aqueous alkali hydroxide solution based on Fe 2+ in the aqueous ferrous salt solution; and then passing an oxygen-containing gas through the resultant mixed solution so as to subject the solution to oxidation reaction, thereby growing the acicular iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) core particles in the solution having a pH value of not less than 11; and (D) A method of passing an oxygen-containing gas through an aqueous ferrous salt solution containing ferrous hydroxide colloid obtained by adding to an aqueous solution of ferrous salt, an aqueous alkali hydroxide solution or aqueous alkali carbonate solution in an amount of less than one equivalent based on the aqueous solution of ferrous salt, so as to subject the aqueous ferrous salt solution to oxidation reaction, thereby producing acicular iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) core particles from the solution having a pH value of not more than 5; and then growing the acicular iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) core particles in an acidic to neutral solution. The thus produced iron oxide hydroxide particles are filtered out, washed with water and dried by ordinary methods to obtain iron oxide hydroxide particles having an average major axis diameter of 0.1 to 1.0 µm, an average minor axis diameter of 0.02 to 0.10 µm, an aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) of 2 to 20, a BET specific surface area of 10 to 180 m 2 /g and a hue represented by L* value of 50 to 75, a* value of 5 to 25 and b* value of 40 to 60. Incidentally, for the purpose of adjusting a hue of the iron oxide hydroxide particles, different kinds of elements other than Fe such as Ni, Zn, P, Si, Al or the like may be added during the reaction for producing the iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles to appropriately control various properties of the particles such as major axis diameter, minor axis diameter, aspect ratio or the like. In this case, the obtained iron oxide hydroxide particles may contain these different kinds of elements other than Fe. The iron oxide hydroxide particles used as a core in the present invention may be of any configuration, e.g., the particles may be used in the form of a wet cake obtained by subjecting the iron oxide hydroxide particles produced from the above-mentioned reaction solution to filtering-out and washing with water; a dispersed slurry obtained by dispersing the wet cake in water; dried particles obtained by drying the wet cake; or a re-dispersed slurry obtained by dispersing again the dried particles in water. Among them, the dispersed slurry is preferred from the viewpoints of efficiency and workability. Meanwhile, the iron oxide hydroxide particles obtained by subjecting the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles produced in the reaction solution to filtering-out and washing with water by ordinary methods, may usually contain a soluble sulfate derived from an aqueous ferrous sulfate solution as a raw iron material, in an amount of usually about 3,000 to about 10,000 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ), and a soluble sodium salt derived from sodium hydroxide as a raw alkali material, in an amount of usually about 1,500 to about 10,000 ppm (calculated as Na). In accordance with the present invention, the deposition of composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al on surfaces of the iron oxide hydroxide particles may be conducted by adding an aluminum compound and a ferrous salt compound to a water suspension containing the iron oxide hydroxide particles, followed by mixing together, and then passing an oxygen-containing gas through the water suspension. From the standpoint of the production of composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al it is preferred that the oxygen-containing gas be passed through the water suspension while maintaining the pH value of the water suspension at not more than 5 or not less than 10. The concentration of the iron oxide hydroxide particles in the water suspension may be adjusted to about 5 to about 150 g/liter. Further, from the viewpoint of productivity, the concentration of the iron oxide hydroxide particles in the water suspension is preferably about 10 to about 120 g/liter, more preferably about 20 to about 100 g/liter. As the aluminum compounds added, there may be used alkali aluminates such as sodium aluminate, aluminum salts such as aluminum sulfate, aluminum chloride, aluminum acetate or aluminum nitrate, or the like. The amount of the aluminum compound added is 0.1 to 10 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide particles. When the amount of the aluminum compound added is less than 0.1 % by weight, aimed effects of the present invention, i.e., effects of improving dispersibility and heat resistance of the particles cannot be obtained. On the other hand, when the amount of the aluminum compound added is more than 10 % by weight, the aimed effects of the present invention are already substantially saturated and, therefore, it is unnecessary to add an excessively large amount of the aluminum compound. As the aqueous ferrous salt solutions added, there may be used aqueous solutions of ferrous salts such as ferrous sulfate, ferrous chloride or ferrous nitrate. The amount of the ferrous salt added is 0.1 to 50 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide particles. When the amount of the ferrous salt added is less than 0.1 % by weight, aimed effects of the present invention, i.e., effects of improving dispersibility and heat resistance of the particles cannot be obtained. On the other hand, when the amount of the ferrous salt added is more than 50 % by weight, the aimed effects of the present invention are already substantially saturated and, therefore, it is unnecessary to add an excessively large amount of the aluminum compound. The ratio of the aluminum compound to the aqueous ferrous salt solution is preferably 1:0.5 to 1:20 (0.05:1 to 2:1), more preferably 1:1 to 1:10 (0.1:1 to 1:1), calculated as an atomic ratio Al/Fe, in view of aimed effects of the present invention, i.e., effects of improving dispersibility and heat resistance of the particles. Almost whole amounts of aluminum and iron contained in the aluminum compound and the aqueous ferrous salt solution, respectively, are deposited in the form of composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al, on surfaces of the iron oxide hydroxide particles. Therefore, the ratio between Fe and Al contained in the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al is substantially the same as that contained in the aluminum compound and the aqueous ferrous salt solution added. The order of addition of the aluminum compound and the aqueous ferrous salt solution is optional. Accordingly, any of the aluminum compound and the aqueous ferrous salt solution may be added first, or both thereof may be added simultaneously. As the oxidation method, there may be used a method of passing an oxygen-containing gas (e.g., air) through the suspension while agitating the suspension by the gas passed therethrough or by mechanical operations, or the like. The yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles produced by the process of the present invention on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al is deposited, may have substantially the same average major axis diameter, average minor axis diameter, aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) and BET specific surface area as those of the above-mentioned treated iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core. Therefore, the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al is deposited, can also exhibit an excellent dispersibility. The gloss of the above yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles is 70 to 110 %, preferably 80 to 110 % when forming a film. Further, the above yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles has an enhanced heat resistance, especially a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 255°C, preferably not less than 265°C, more preferably not less than 270°C. The above yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles can also exhibit less change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment, specifically can show a ΔL* value of - 1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5; a Δa* value of -1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5; and a Δb* value of -1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5. Next, in accordance with the present invention, a hydroxide of aluminum may be further deposited, if required, on the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al which is deposited on surface of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core. In this case, the deposition of the hydroxide of aluminum may be conducted by adjusting the pH value of a water suspension containing the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al is deposited, to not less than 10 or not more than 4; adding an aluminum compound to the suspension under stirring; and adjusting again the pH value of the resultant water suspension to 5 to 9. The pH value of the water suspension upon deposition of the hydroxide of aluminum may be adjusted by adding an ordinarily used aqueous alkaline solution or aqueous acid solution thereto. As the aqueous alkaline solution, there may be used an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution, an aqueous ammonia solution or the like. As the acid solution, there may be used aqueous solutions of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, sulfuric acid or the like. The pH value of the water suspension before adding the aluminum compound thereto is required to be not less than 10 or not more than 4. When the pH value of the water suspension before addition of the aluminum compound is less than 10 and more than 4, the aluminum compound added is immediately precipitated in the form of hydroxide of aluminum, and it becomes difficult to uniformly deposit the hydroxide of aluminum over the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al which is deposited on surfaces of the iron oxide hydroxide particles. After completion of addition of the aluminum compound, the resultant water suspension was stirred at a pH value of not less than 10 or not more than 4. When the pH value is less than 10 and more than 4, it is unlikely that an ionic aluminum salt is uniformly mixed and dispersed in the water suspension containing the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles. As a result, it becomes difficult to uniformly deposit the hydroxide of aluminum over the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al which is deposited on surfaces of the iron oxide hydroxide particles. As the temperature of the water suspension upon precipitation or deposition of the hydroxide of aluminum on the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al which is deposited on surfaces of the iron oxide hydroxide particles, there may be used ordinary temperature, but in order to achieve uniform deposition of the hydroxide of aluminum, the temperature of the water suspension is maintained at preferably not less than 40°C, more preferably not less than 60°C. When the hydroxide of aluminum is deposited on the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al which is deposited on surfaces of the iron oxide hydroxide particles, after stirring, the pH value of the water suspension was adjusted again to 5 to 9. When the pH value of the water suspension is less than 5 or more than 9, it becomes difficult to precipitate or deposit the hydroxide of aluminum on the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al which is deposited on surfaces of the iron oxide hydroxide particles as cores. The amount of the aluminum compound added is 0.1 to 20.0 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al is deposited. When the amount of the aluminum compound added is less than 0.1 % by weight, it becomes difficult to deposit a sufficient amount of the hydroxide of aluminum on the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al which is deposited on surfaces of the iron oxide hydroxide particles. As a result, it also becomes difficult to obtain aimed effects of the present invention, i.e., effects of improving dispersibility and heat resistance of the particles. On the other hand, when the amount of the aluminum compound added is more than 20.0 % by weight, the aimed effects are already almost saturated and, therefore, it is unnecessary to use an excessively large amount of the aluminum compound. In view of improved dispersibility and enhanced heat resistance of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles, the amount of the aluminum compound added is preferably 0.15 to 5.0 % by weight (calculated as Al). Substantially a whole amount of aluminum in the aluminum compound added can be deposited as the hydroxide of aluminum on the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al which is deposited on surfaces of the iron oxide hydroxide particles. The yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles produced by the process of the present invention on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al and the hydroxide of aluminum are successively deposited, may have substantially the same average major axis diameter, average minor axis diameter, aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) and BET specific surface area as those of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core. Therefore, the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al and the hydroxide of aluminum are successively deposited, can also exhibit an excellent dispersibility. Especially, the gloss of the above yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles is 75 to 115 %, preferably 85 to 115 % when forming a film. In addition, the above yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles may exhibit an enhanced heat resistance, specifically a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 265°C, preferably not less than 275°C. Further, the above yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles can also exhibit less change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment, specifically can show a ΔL* value of -1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5; a Δa* value of -1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5; and a Δb* value of -1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5. Separately, the iron oxide hydroxide particles obtained from the reaction solution by ordinary methods may be subjected to high purification treatment. As the high purification treatment according to the present invention, there may be used a heat-treatment which is conducted by heating the iron oxide hydroxide particles in an aqueous alkaline solution having a pH value of not less than 10. More specifically, in the heat-treatment, the iron oxide hydroxide particles in the form of a wet cake, a dispersed slurry, dried particles or a re-dispersed slurry as specified above, are mixed in water to prepare a water suspension containing the iron oxide hydroxide particles. After the pH value of the water suspension is then adjusted to not less than 10 by adding an aqueous alkaline solution thereto, the resultant water suspension (alkaline suspension) is heat-treated. As the aqueous alkaline solution used for the adjustment of pH value of the water suspension, there may be exemplified aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or the like. The concentration of the iron oxide hydroxide particles in the water suspension is about 2 to about 150 g/liter, preferably about 3 to about 100 g/liter in view of efficiency for removing the soluble sulfate. When the pH value of the water suspension is less than 10, it becomes difficult to sufficiently extract out and remove the soluble sulfate absorbed into the iron oxide hydroxide particles or attached to the surfaces thereof. The pH value of the water suspension is preferably not less than 10.5 in view of efficiency for removing the soluble sulfate. However, it is unnecessary to use an excessively high pH value of the water suspension, and the upper limit of the pH value is about 13.9 in view of economy. The heating temperature of the alkaline suspension containing the iron oxide hydroxide particles is preferably not less than 40°C, more preferably not less than 60°C. The upper limit of the heating temperature is preferably set to 100°C. When the heating temperature is less than 40°C, it may disadvantageously take a long period of time to extract out and remove the soluble sulfate from the particles. On the other hand, when the heating temperature is more than 100°C, it may be required to use special devices such as an autoclave, and the obtained yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles may undergo a disadvantageously large change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment. The heat-treatment of the alkaline suspension containing the iron oxide hydroxide particles may be conducted until the soluble sulfate content in the iron oxide hydroxide particles is reduced to not more than 2,000 ppm, preferably not more than 1,500 ppm, more preferably not more than 1,000 ppm, still more preferably not more than 500 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ). In the case where the iron oxide hydroxide particles contain the soluble sulfate in an amount of about 3,000 to about 10,000 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ), the heat-treatment is conducted usually for not less than 30 minutes, preferably not less than 60 minutes. However, it is unnecessary to excessively prolong the heat-treatment, and in view of the efficiency for removing the soluble sulfate and economy, the upper limit of the time required for the heat-treatment is preferably about 360 minutes. Another heat-treatment as the high purification treatment according to the present invention may be conducted by heat-treating the iron oxide hydroxide particles in an aqueous acid solution having a pH value of not more than 4. More specifically, in the heat-treatment, the iron oxide hydroxide particles in the form of a wet cake, a dispersed slurry, dried particles or a re-dispersed slurry as specified above, are mixed in water to prepare a water suspension containing the iron oxide hydroxide particles. After the pH value of the resultant water suspension is then adjusted to not more than 4 by adding an aqueous acid solution thereto, the water suspension (acidic suspension) is heat-treated. As the aqueous acid solution used for the adjustment of pH value of the water suspension, there may be exemplified aqueous solutions of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid or the like. The concentration of the iron oxide hydroxide particles in the water suspension is about 2 to about 150 g/liter, preferably about 3 to about 100 g/liter in view of efficiency for removing the soluble sodium salt. When the pH value of the water suspension is more than 4, it becomes difficult to sufficiently extract out and remove the soluble sodium salt strongly absorbed into the iron oxide hydroxide particles or attached to the surfaces thereof. The pH value of the water suspension is preferably not more than 3.5 in view of efficiency for removing the soluble sodium salt. However, it is unnecessary to add an excessively large amount of the aqueous acid solution to the water suspension, and the lower limit of the pH value is preferably about 0.1 in view of economy. The heating temperature of the acidic suspension is preferably not less than 40°C, more preferably not less than 60°C. The upper limit of the heating temperature is preferably not more than 100°C. When the heating temperature is less than 40°C, it disadvantageously takes a long period of time to extract out and remove the soluble sodium salt from the particles. On the other hand, when the heating temperature is more than 100°C, it is required to use special devices such as an autoclave, and the obtained yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles undergo a disadvantageously large change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment. The heat-treatment of the acidic suspension containing the iron oxide hydroxide particles may be conducted until the soluble sodium salt content in the iron oxide hydroxide particles is reduced to not more than 1,000 ppm, preferably not more than 700 ppm, more preferably not more than 500 ppm, still more preferably not more than 250 ppm (calculated as Na). In the case where the iron oxide hydroxide particles contain the soluble sodium salt in an amount of about 1,500 to about 10,000 ppm (calculated as Na), the heat-treatment may be conducted usually for not less than 30 minutes, preferably not less than 60 minutes. However, it is unnecessary to excessively prolong the heat-treatment, and in view of efficiency for removing the soluble sodium salt and economy, the upper limit of the time required for the heat-treatment is preferably about 360 minutes. The heat-treatment in the alkaline suspension having a pH value of not less than 10 and the heat-treatment in the acidic suspension having a pH value of not more than 4, may be conducted in any optional order. Any of these heat-treatments can be conducted first. After completion of the first heat-treatment, the iron oxide hydroxide particles treated may be filtered out and washed with water. Thereafter, the obtained iron oxide hydroxide particles may be dispersed again in water and subjected to the second heat-treatment. For example, after the heat-treatment in the alkaline suspension having a pH value of not less than 10 and the heat-treatment in the acidic suspension having a pH value of nor more than 4 are completed, the iron oxide hydroxide particles in the suspension may be filtered out and washed with water by ordinary methods. The thus obtained iron oxide hydroxide particles may have a soluble sulfate content of not more than 2,000 ppm, preferably not more than 1,500 ppm, more preferably not more than 1,000 ppm, still more preferably not more than 500 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ). The lower limit of the soluble sulfate content is preferably about 0.1 ppm in view of industrial suitability and economy. In addition, the iron oxide hydroxide particles may have a soluble sodium salt content of not more than 1,000 ppm, preferably not more than 700 ppm, more preferably not more than 500 ppm, still more preferably not more than 250 ppm (calculated as Na). The lower limit of the soluble sodium salt content is preferably about 0.1 ppm in view of industrial suitability and economy. The iron oxide hydroxide particles obtained by subjecting to the heat-treatment in the alkaline suspension having a pH value of not less than 10 and the heat-treatment in the acidic suspension having a pH value of not more than 4 according to the present invention, are high purity particles as described above. As a result of observation by an electron microscope, it is determined that individual particles are present in a separated state without agglomeration thereof. In accordance with the present invention, after completion of the above-mentioned heat-treatments for high purification of the iron oxide hydroxide particles, the obtained high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles in the form of a wet cake obtained by subjecting the particles to filtering-out and washing with water, a dispersed slurry obtained by dispersing the wet cake in water, dried particles obtained by drying the wet cake or a re-dispersed slurry obtained by dispersing again the dried particles in water, are mixed in water to prepare a water suspension containing the high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles. Next, after an aluminum compound and a ferrous salt compound are mixed in the waster suspension containing the high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles, an oxygen-containing gas is caused to pass through the water suspension. From the viewpoint of production of the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al, it is preferred that the oxygen-containing gas be passed through the water suspension while maintaining the pH value of the water suspension at not more than 5 or not less than 10. The concentration of the high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles in the water suspension may be adjusted to usually about 5 to about 150 g/liter. In view of productivity, the concentration of the high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles in the water suspension is preferably about 10 to about 120 g/liter, more preferably about 20 to about 100 g/liter. The high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles produced according to the process of the present invention on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al is deposited, may have substantially the same average major axis diameter, average minor axis diameter, aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) and BET specific surface area as those of the above-treated iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core. Therefore, the high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al is deposited can also exhibit an excellent dispersibility. In addition, the gloss of the above high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles is 80 to 120 %, preferably 85 to 120 % when forming a film. Besides, the above high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles may exhibit an enhanced heat resistance, specifically a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 265°C, preferably not less than 275°C, more preferably not less than 280°C. Further, the high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles may also exhibit less change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment, specifically can show a ΔL* value of -1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5; a Δa* value of -1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5; and a Δb* value of -1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5. Next, the high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al is deposited, is further deposited with the hydroxide of aluminum, if necessary, as described above. The high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles produced by the process of the present invention on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al and the hydroxide of aluminum which are successively deposited, may have substantially the same average major axis diameter, average minor axis diameter, aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) and BET specific surface area as those of the above-treated iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core. Therefore, the high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al and the hydroxide of aluminum are successively deposited, may also exhibit an excellent dispersibility. In addition, the gloss of the above high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles is 85 to 120 %, preferably 90 to 120 % when forming a film. Besides, the above high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles may exhibit an enhanced heat resistance, specifically a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 270°C, preferably 280°C. Further, the above high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles may also exhibit less change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment, specifically can show a ΔL* value of -1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5; a Δa* value of -1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5; and a Δb* value of - 1.0 to +1.0, preferably -0.5 to +0.5. One of the most important features of the present invention exists in such a fact that when the aluminum compound and the ferrous salt compound are mixed in the water dispersion containing the iron oxide hydroxide particles, in amounts of 0.1 to 10 % by weight (calculated as Al) and 0.1 to 50 % by weight (calculated as Fe), respectively, based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide particles and the oxygen-containing gas is passed through the water dispersion to deposit the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al on surfaces of the iron oxide hydroxide particles, the obtained yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles comprising iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core and composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al deposited on surfaces of the iron oxide hydroxide particles, wherein the amount of Al in the composite oxide hydroxide is 0.1 to 10 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core, the amount of Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide is 0.1 to 50 % by weight (calculated as Fe) based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core and the ratio of Al to Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide is 1:0.5 to 1:20 (0.05:1 to 2:1) (calculated as Al and Fe atoms); and having an average major axis diameter of 0.1 to 1.0 µm, an average minor axis diameter of 0.02 to 0.10 µm, an aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) of 2 to 20, a BET specific surface area of 10 to 180 m 2 /g and a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 255°C, exhibits not only an excellent dispersibility and an enhanced heat resistance but also less change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment. Also, in the present invention, after the pH value of the water dispersion containing the above-prepared yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al is deposited, is adjusted to not less than 10 or not more than 4, an aluminum compound may be added to the water dispersion, followed by stirring, and then the pH value of the water dispersion may be adjusted again to 5 to 9, thereby depositing the hydroxide of aluminum on surfaces of the particles. The thus produced yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles comprising iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core, composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al deposited on surface of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core, and a hydroxide of aluminum deposited on a surface of the composite oxide hydroxide, wherein the amount of Al in the composite oxide hydroxide is 0.1 to 10 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core, the amount of Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide is 0.1 to 50 % by weight (calculated as Fe) based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core and the ratio of Al to Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide is 1:0.5 to 1:20 (0.05:1 to 2:1) (calculated as Al and Fe atoms); and having an average major axis diameter of 0.1 to 1.0 µm, an average minor axis diameter of 0.02 to 0.10 µm, an aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) of 2 to 20, a BET specific surface area of 10 to 180 m 2 /g and a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 265°C, exhibit a more excellent dispersibility and a further enhanced heat resistance as well as less change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment. The reason why the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al is deposited or the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al and the hydroxide of aluminum are successively deposited, can exhibit an improved dispersibility, is considered by the present inventors as follows, though not clearly known. That is, it is considered that the improved dispersibility is attributed to improvement in compatibility between the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles and vehicle resin, for such reasons that the gloss of a coating film containing the particles is increased and the viscosity of a paint containing the particles is decreased, or the like. In addition, the reason why the heat resistance is enhanced, is considered by the present inventors such that the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al tends to form a dense layer and contains Fe whereby the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al comes into close contact with surfaces of the iron oxide hydroxide particles upon deposition. The reason why the heat resistance of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al and the hydroxide of aluminum are successively deposited can be further enhanced, is considered by the present inventors such that the hydroxide of aluminum itself has an excellent heat resistance and since the lower composite oxide hydroxide deposition contains Al, the upper hydroxide of aluminum deposition constituted by the hydroxide of aluminum can be brought into close contact with the lower composite oxide hydroxide deposition. Further, another most important feature of the present invention exists in such a fact that by heat-treating the iron oxide hydroxide particles in an aqueous alkaline solution having a pH value of not less than 10, followed by filtering-out and washing with water, thereby reducing the soluble sulfate content to not more than 2,000 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ); heat-treating the iron oxide hydroxide particles in an aqueous acid solution having a pH value of not more than 4, followed by filtering-out and washing with water, thereby reducing the soluble sodium salt content to not more than 1,000 ppm (calculated as Na), thereby producing high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles having less soluble sulfate content and less soluble sodium salt content; adding an aluminum compound and a ferrous salt compound to a water dispersion containing the high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles in amounts of 0.1 to 10 % by weight (calculated as Al) and 0.1 to 50 % by weight (calculated as Fe), respectively, based on the weight of the high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles, followed by mixing together; and passing an oxygen-containing gas through the water dispersion to deposit a composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al on surfaces of the high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles, the obtained high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles comprising iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core and composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al deposited on surface of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core, wherein the amount of Al in the composite oxide hydroxide is 0.1 to 10 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core, the amount of Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide is 0.1 to 50 % by weight (calculated as Fe) based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core and the ratio of Al to Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide is 1:0.5 to 1:20 (0.05:1 to 2:1) (calculated as Al and Fe atoms); and having an average major axis diameter of 0.1 to 1.0 µm, an average minor axis diameter of 0.02 to 0.10 µm, an aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) of 2 to 20, a BET specific surface area of 10 to 180 m 2 /g and a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 265°C, a soluble sodium salt content of not more than 1,000 ppm (calculated as Na), and a soluble sulfate content of not more than 2,000 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ), exhibit a more excellent dispersibility and a further enhanced heat resistance as well as less change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment. The reason why the heat resistance of the high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles can be further enhanced, is considered by the present inventors such that by preparing the high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles in advance of depositing the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al on surface thereof, it becomes possible to sufficiently separate secondary agglomerated iron oxide hydroxide particles into individual particles, and therefore, deposit a sufficiently uniform layer of the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al on surfaces of the thus separated individual particles, and since the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al tends to form a dense layer and contains Fe therein, the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al can be deposited on surfaces of the iron oxide hydroxide particles in a close contact state In addition, the reason why the high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the hydroxide of aluminum is further deposited can be still further enhanced, is considered by the present inventors such that the hydroxide of aluminum itself shows an excellent heat resistance and since the lower composite oxide hydroxide layer contains Al, the upper layer composed of the hydroxide of aluminum can be deposited thereon in a close contact state. The fact that the above-mentioned high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles are constituted of sufficiently separated particles which are free from secondary agglomeration, is explained below. When ferrous sulfate is used as a raw material for iron, as a matter of course, a large amount of soluble sulfate [SO 4 2- ] is contained in a reaction mother solution, and the resultant iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles produced by precipitation from such a reaction solution, has a high soluble sulfate content as described above. Especially, in the case where the iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles are produced by precipitating from an acid solution, soluble sulfates such as Na 2 SO 4 may be produced simultaneously. Further, since the acid solution contains alkali metals such as K + , NH 4 + or Na + , the precipitate produced therefrom is likely to contain alkali metals or sulfates. The precipitate may be represented by the formula of RFe 3 (SO 4 )(OH) 6 (wherein R is K + , NH 4 + or Na + ). Since these precipitates are insoluble sulfates, it is not possible to remove these precipitate by ordinary water-washing methods. In the case where the iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles are precipitated from the aqueous alkaline solution having a pH value of not less than 11 by using ferrous sulfate and sodium hydroxide, the sulfate simultaneously produced is Na 2 SO 4 and the aqueous alkaline mother solution contains NaOH. Since both of Na 2 SO 4 and NaOH are water-soluble, it is theoretically possible to remove Na 2 SO 4 and NaOH by sufficiently washing the iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles with water. However, the iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles generally has a low crystallinity, and therefore, shows a deteriorated water-washing efficiency. Consequently, in the case where the iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles are washed with water by ordinary methods, large amounts of soluble sulfates [SO 4 2- ] and soluble sodium salts [Na + ]still remain in the particles. The above-mentioned soluble sulfates or soluble sodium salts are contained within the iron oxide hydroxide particles or attached to surfaces thereof, so that the iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles mat be bonded with each other through the soluble sulfates or soluble sodium salts and strongly bonded together, thereby forming a much stronger agglomeration between the iron oxide hydroxide particles. However, in the case where the agglomerated iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles are heat-treated in an aqueous alkaline solution having a pH value of not less than 10, the aqueous alkaline solution is sufficiently penetrated from the surface of the agglomerated iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles into interior thereof, so that a bonding force of the sulfates strongly bonded to surfaces and interior of the individual particles and interior of the agglomerated particles, is gradually weakened. As a result, it is considered that the sulfates are liberated from the surfaces and interior of the individual particles and the interior of the agglomerated particles, and further the soluble sodium salts are likely to be washed out with water simultaneously. On the other hand, in the case where the agglomerated iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles are heat-treated in an aqueous acid solution having a pH value of not more than 4, the aqueous acid solution sufficiently penetrates from surfaces of the agglomerated iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles into interior thereof, so that a bonding force of the sodium salts strongly bonded to surfaces and interior of the individual particles and interior of the agglomerated particles, is gradually weakened. As a result, it is considered that the sodium salts are liberated from the surfaces and interior of the individual particles and the interior of the agglomerated particles, and the soluble sulfates are likely to be washed out with water simultaneously. As is well known, a heat-resistant paint (coating material) is generally one which displays a function as a coating film even in a temperature range of not lower than 200°C. Polyimideamide resin paints, silicon resin paints and fluorine resin paints are ones having a special function which are so excellent in heat resistance as to be resistant in a temperature range of 300 to 650°C. The heat-resistant inorganic pigment of the present invention is suitable as a color pigment for these heat-resistant paints. For example, the yellow color in a road sign represents 'regulation' or 'warning' and is therefore very important. However, since the color pigment used for a yellow coating film of a road sign is chiefly chrome yellow, the influence of the yellow coating film on the environment such as dust of the abraded coating film and the elusion of the yellow pigment due to rain water is in serious problem. The 'road sign yellow' represented by the number 'P31-2611' in the color sample book (1989) published by the Nihon Toryo Kogyo Kai is "5.5YR6.5/12" by the Munsell color standard in Japan. The hue of the pigment obtained in Example 2 which will be described later is "5YR6/12" by the Munsell color standard in Japan. These hues closely resemble each other, and the yellow iron oxide hydroxide pigment of the present invention has a sufficient heat resistance to the heating and melting temperature at the time of film coating. Consequently, if the pigment is used for a coating film of a road sign as a color pigment, the above-described problems is solved. In addition, since the heat-resistant yellow iron oxide hydroxide pigment of the present invention is a harmless inorganic calcined product, it does not cause an environmental pollution resulting from a color pigment containing lead, chrome or cadmium. The present invention can therefore be said to have a great industrial utility. As described above, the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to the present invention can exhibit not only an excellent dispersibility and an enhanced heat resistance but also less change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment. Therefore, the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to the present invention can be suitably used as yellow pigments, especially yellow pigments for road asphalt or paints for traffic control signs (traffic paints). Further, in the process for the production of yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to the present invention, as described above, the improved yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles can be produced under ordinary pressure without using special devices such as an autoclave. Therefore, the process according to the present invention is industrially and economically useful. The present invention will be described in more detail below by examples, but these examples are only illustrative and, therefore, not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In the below-mentioned Examples and Comparative Examples, various properties of yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles were measured by the following methods. (1) The average major axis diameter and average minor axis diameter were respectively expressed by average values of major axis diameters and minor axis diameters of 350 particles which were sampled from an enlarged electron photomicrograph obtained by expanding an original electron photomicrograph (x 20,000) by two times in each of the longitudinal and transverse directions. (2) Specific surface area : The specific surface area of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles were measured according to a BET method. (3) pH of Particles: 5 g of yellow iron oxide hydroxide sample particles were weighed and charged into a 300 ml conical flask. 100 ml of pure water was added to the sample particles in the conical flask. The content of the conical flask was heated and maintained in a boiled state for 5 minutes. Thereafter, the conical flask was plugged and the content of the flask was allowed to stand until it was cooled down to ordinary temperature. The flask was opened and supplied with pure water in such an amount corresponding to reduction in weight of pure water in the flask. The flask was plugged again and shaken for 1 minute for mixing. After the content of the flask was allowed to stand for 5 minutes, the pH value of the resultant supernatant was measured according to JIS Z 8802-7. The thus-obtained pH value was determined as the pH value of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles. (4) Contents of Soluble Sodium Salt and Soluble Sulfate: The supernatant prepared for the above pH value measurement was filtered through a filter paper No. 5C. Amounts of Na + and SO 4 2- were measured by an inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer SPS-4000 (manufactured by SEIKO DENSHI KOGYO Co., Ltd.). (5) The amount of Al deposited on surfaces of yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles was measured by fluorescent X-ray spectroscopy device 3063 M type (manufactured by RIGAKU DENKI KOGYO Co., Ltd.). (6) The atomic ratio Al/Fe upon denosition of composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al in the production of heat-resistant yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles was expressed by values obtained according to the following method. That is, 0.25 g of the heat-resistant yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles were weighed and charged into a 100 ml conical flask, and then mixed with 33.3 ml of ion exchange water. The flask was placed in a water bath heated to 60°C, and the content therein was stirred for 20 minutes by a magnetic stirrer, thereby obtaining an intimately dispersed water suspension.Next, the water suspension was mixed with 16.7 ml of a 12N-hydrochloric acid solution and stirred for 20 minutes. As a result, a portion of the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al deposited on the surface of each iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core which portion extends from an outer surface of the composite oxide hydroxide up to approximately a mid point of the distance between the outer surface of the composite oxide hydroxide and the outer surface of the iron oxide hydroxide particle as a core (i.e., one-half thickness of the composite oxide hydroxide) and has a substantially uniform composition, was dissolved out with the acid from the outermost surface thereof toward the inside of the particle (This fact was already confirmed in many experiments). Thereafter, the water suspension containing the dissolved-out component was subjected to suction filtration using a 0.1 µm membrane filter. The amounts (ppm) of Al and Fe in the obtained filtrate were measured by an inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer SPS-4000 (manufactured by SEIKO DENSHI KOGYO Co., Ltd.). Further, the amount (% by weight) of Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al was calculated from the ratio of Al to Fe obtained from the measured amounts (ppm) of Al and Fe in the filtrate and the amount (% by weight) of Al in the composite oxide hydroxide obtained by the above-mentioned measurement method (5), according to the following formula. Amount of Fe (% by weight) = Amount of Al (% by weight) x 1/(Ratio of Al to Fe) Furthermore, the atomic ratio of Al to Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al was expressed by a ratio between respective values obtained by dividing the amounts (% by weight) of Fe and Al by respective atomic weights. (7) The heat resistance of yellow iron oxide hydroxide was expressed by the temperature read out from a DSC chart obtained by subjecting a test sample to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) using a thermal analyzing apparatus SSC-5000 (manufactured by SEIKO DENSHI KOGYO Co., Ltd.), which temperature was read at a crossing point of two tangential lines on two curves constituting the first one of two inflection points which form a peak on the DSC chart. (8) The hue (L* value, a* value and b* value) were measured by the following method. Test samples obtained by using (i) a solvent-based paint prepared by the following method, (ii) a water-based paint prepared by the method of Example 45, and (iii) a resin composition prepared by the method of Example 65, were used for measuring the hue.That is, the solvent-based paint or the water-based paint was applied onto a cold rolled steel plate (0.8 mm x 70 mm x 150 mm; JIS G-3141) and then dried to form a coating film having a thickness of 150 µm thereon. (i) The L* value (lightness), the a* value (redness) and the b* value (yellowness) representing hue of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide, were expressed by respective values of the test sample measured in the Lab space of Hunter in accordance with the (L*, a* and b*) uniform sensory color space of Commission Internationnale de l'Eclairage, CIE, 1976. (ii) The L* value (lightness), the a* value (redness) and the b* value (yellowness) representing hue of the coating film prepared by the water-based paint, were expressed by respective values of the test sample measured in the Lab space of Hunter in accordance with the (L*, a* and b*) uniform sensory color space of Commission Internationnale de l'Eclairage, CIE, 1976. (iii) The L* value (lightness), the a* value (redness) and the b* value (yellowness) representing hue of the resin composition, were expressed by respective values of the test sample measured in the Lab space of Hunter in accordance with the (L*, a* and b*) uniform sensory color space of Commission Internationnale de l'Eclairage, CIE, 1976. Incidentally, the measurements of the L* value, the a* value and the b* value were conducted by using Multi Spectro Colour Meter (MSC-IS-2D, manufactured by SUGA TESTING MACHINES MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.). The solvent-based paint was prepared as follows.10 g of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide pigment was charged together with alkyd resin and thinner shown below, into 140 ml glass bottle. These components were intimately mixed and dispersed together with 90 g of 3 mm glass beads by a paint shaker for 90 minutes to prepare a mill base. Composition of mill base: Yellow iron oxide hydroxide pigment 12.2 parts by weight Amino-alkyd resin (AMILAC No. 1026 produced by KANSAI PAINT CO., LTD.) 19.5 parts by weight Thinner 7.3 parts by weight Next, the above-prepared mill base and an amino-alkyd resin were blended together at a weight ratio shown below and further intimately mixed and dispersed by a paint shaker for 15 minutes to prepare a solvent-based paint. Composition of solvent-based paint: Mill base 39.0 parts by weight Amino-alkyd resin (AMILAC No. 1026 produced by KANSAI PAINT CO., LTD.) 61.0 parts by weight (9) The change in hue of vellow iron oxide hydroxide was expressed by ΔL*, Δa* and Δb* which represent the difference in respective measured L*, a* and b* values of yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment. The smaller the absolute values of ΔL*, Δa* and Δb*, the less the change in hue. (10) The gloss of vellow iron oxide hydroxide and the coating film was determined by measuring the gloss of the above-mentioned test samples by a digital glossmeter (UGV-5D, manufactured by SUGA TESTING MACHINES MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.) when light was irradiated on the test sample at an incident angle of 20°. The higher the gloss, the more excellent the dispersibility. (11) Viscosity of paint: The viscosity at 25°C of the water-based paint prepared according to the procedure mentioned in Example 45 was measured by E-type viscometer (cone plate-type viscometer) EMD-R (manufactured by TOKYO KEIKI CO., LTD.). The viscosity was represented by the value at a shear rate (D) of 1.92 sec -1 . (12) Heat resistance of water-based paint: The coating films obtained by the method of Example 45 were heat-treated at a temperature of 150°C, 200°C, 250°C, 280°C, 300°C or 320°C for 15 minutes. After being allowed to stand for cooling, a hue of the sample films (i.e., L* value, a* value and b* value) was measured and compared with that before the heat-treatment to determine an amount of change of hue thereof. Using the measured value before the heat-treatment as a reference value, the amount of change of hue represented by ΔE* was obtained according to the following formula: ΔE* = {(ΔL*) 2 + (Δa*) 2 + (Δb*) 2 } 1/2 wherein ΔL* represents a difference in L* value between before and after heat-treatment of the sample particles; Δa* represents a difference in a* value between before and after heat-treatment of the sample particles; and Δb* represents a difference in b* value between before and after heat-treatment of the sample coating film.The temperature was an axis of abscissa and the ΔE* value was an axis of ordinate, and the obtained results were plotted thereon. The temperature in which the ΔE* value exceeded 1.5 was expressed as the heat-resistance temperature of the coating film. (13) Dispersibility of Resin Composition: The number of undispersed aggregate particles on a surface of the obtained resin composition were visually counted and evaluated by classifying into the following five ranks. The 5th rank represents most excellent dispersing condition. Rank 5: No undispersed aggregate particles were recognized; Rank 4: 1 to 4 undispersed aggregate particles per 1 cm 2 were recognized; Rank 3: 5 to 9 undispersed aggregate particles per 1 cm 2 were recognized; Rank 2: 10 to 49 undispersed aggregate particles per 1 cm 2 were recognized; Rank 1: not less than 50 undispersed aggregate particles per 1 cm 2 were recognized. (14) Heat Resistance of resin composition: A colored resin plate (50 mm x 50 mm x 1 mm) molded from a resin composition prepared by the method of Example 65 was heat-treated at a temperature of 170°C, 190°C, 210°C, 230°C or 240°C for 10 minutes under a pressure of 1 t/cm 2 by using a hot-press.After being allowed to stand for cooling, a hue of the sample resin composition (i.e., L* value, a* value and b* value) was measured and compared with that before the heat-treatment to determine an amount of change of hue thereof. Using the measured value before the heat-treatment as a reference value, the amount of change of hue represented by ΔE* was obtained according to the formula mentioned in the above (12) "heat resistance of water-based paint".The temperature was an axis of abscissa and the ΔE* value was an axis of ordinate, and the obtained results were plotted thereon. The temperature in which the ΔE* value exceeded 1.5 was expressed as the heat-resistance temperature of the resin composition. Example 1: A wet cake (water-containing solid) of acicular iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles precipitated from an aqueous acid solution according to the above-mentioned method (C) (properties of the iron oxide hydroxide particles obtained by separating a part of the reaction solution to precipitate particles therefrom and then washing the particles with water were as follows; average major axis diameter: 0.38 µm, average minor axis diameter: 0.063 µm, aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter): 6.2, BET specific surface area: 20.1 m 2 /g, content of soluble sulfate: 5,780 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ) and content of soluble sodium salt: 2,560 ppm (calculated as Na)) were suspended in water to prepare 20 liters of a water suspension containing the iron oxide hydroxide particles in an amount of 50 g/liter. Next, the iron oxide hydroxide particles were sufficiently dispersed in the suspension using a high-speed dissolver and a vertical-type bead mill. At this time, the pH value of the suspension was 5.7. 20 liters of the suspension was mixed with 1,481 ml of 0.5 mol/liter aluminum acetate aqueous solution (corresponding to 2.0 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles) and with 1,058 ml of a 1.4 mol/liter-ferrous sulfate aqueous solution (atomic ratio of Al to Fe added: 1/2). The suspension was heated to 80°C while passing air therethrough at a feed rate of 70 liters per minute. Thereafter, the pH value of the suspension was adjusted to 4.3 and maintained for 3 hours, thereby depositing a composite oxide hydroxide of Al and Fe on surfaces of the iron oxide hydroxide particles. Successively, the suspension was filtered using a press filter to separate a solid component therefrom. The solid component was sufficiently water-washed by passing water therethrough, thereby obtaining a wet cake of yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles. A part of the thus obtained wet cake was dried at 120°C for 24 hours, and then pulverized by a free crusher (M-2 model manufactured by NARA KIKAI SEISAKUSHO CO., LTD.). The obtained yellow iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Al and Fe was deposited were subjected to fluorescent X-ray spectroscopy. As a result, it was determined that the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Al and Fe was deposited, had aluminum content of 1.86 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of said iron oxide hydroxide as a core, iron content of 7.65 % by weight (calculated as Fe) based on the weight of said iron oxide hydroxide as a core and Al/Fe atomic ratio of 0.503 : 1, and had an average major axis diameter of 0.38 µm, an average minor axis diameter of 0.064 µm, an aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter): 5.9, a BET specific surface area of 20.3 m 2 /g and a heat-resistance temperature of 272°C. With respect to the hue of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Al and Fe was deposited, the L* value was 62.3; the a* value was 17.3; and the b* value was 51.1. Further, with respect to the change in hue from the iron oxide hydroxide particles as a starting material, ΔL* was +0.1; Δa* was +0.2; and Δb* was - 0.2. The gloss of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles was 82 %. Example 2: The wet cake obtained in Example 1 was separated in water by using a agitator to prepare 20 liters of a water suspension containing the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al was deposited, in an amount of 45 g/liter. The suspension was heated to 60°C while stirring, and then mixed with a 0.1N-NaOH solution until the pH value of the suspension reached 10.5. While continuously stirring, the suspension was mixed with 1,000 ml of an aqueous solution containing sodium aluminate (NA-170 produced by SUMITOMO CHEMICAL INDUSTRY, CO., LTD.) in an amount of 0.5 mol/liter (corresponding to 1.5 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al was deposited), and then maintained under the condition for 10 minutes. Thereafter, the suspension was mixed with a 1N-acetic acid aqueous solution until the pH value of the suspension reached 6.0, and then maintained under the condition for 30 minutes, thereby depositing a hydroxide of aluminum on the surfaces of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al was already deposited. Successively, the suspension was filtered using a press filter to separate a solid component therefrom. The solid component was sufficiently water-washed while passing water therethrough to obtain a wet cake. The thus obtained wet cake was dried at 120°C for 24 hours, and then pulverized by a free crusher (M-2 model manufactured by NARA KIKAI SEISAKUSHO CO., LTD.), thereby obtaining yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al and the hydroxide of aluminum were successively deposited. The obtained yellow iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles were subjected to fluorescent X-ray spectroscopy. As a result, it was determined that the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Al and Fe and the hydroxide of aluminum were successively deposited, contained aluminum in an amount of 3.32 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles. This showed that the content of aluminum in the hydroxide of aluminum was 1.46 % by weight (calculated as Al) (3.32-1.86=1.46) based on the weight of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles. Also, the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Al and Fe and the hydroxide of aluminum were successively deposited, had an average major axis diameter of 0.39 µm, an average minor axis diameter of 0.064 µm, an aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) of 6.1, a BET specific surface area of 19.3 m 2 /g and a heat-resistance temperature of 284°C. With respect to the hue of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Al and Fe and the hydroxide of aluminum were successively deposited, the L* value was 62.0; the a* value was 17.3; and the b* value was 51.6. Further, with respect to the change in hue from that of the initial iron oxide hydroxide particles, ΔL* was -0.2; Δa* was +0.2; and Δb* was +0.1. The gloss of the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles was 87 %. <Kinds of iron oxide hydroxide particles> As iron oxide hydroxide particles to be treated, there were prepared Particles 1 to 9 shown in Tables 1 and 6. Examples 3 to 7: The same procedure as defined in Example 1 was conducted except that kind of iron oxide hydroxide particles to be treated, concentration of iron oxide hydroxide particles in water suspension, pH values of the water suspension upon deposition of composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al, kind and amount of an aluminum compound added, kind and amount of an aqueous ferrous salt solution added, reaction temperature, pH value maintained, amount of air passed through the water suspension and reaction time, were changed variously, thereby depositing the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al on surfaces of iron oxide hydroxide particles in the same manner as defined in Example 1. The main production conditions used are shown in Table 2, and various properties of the obtained yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles are shown in Table 3. Examples 8 to 12: The same procedure as defined in Example 2 was conducted except that kind of yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al was deposited, concentration of the composite oxide hydroxide-deposited yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles in the water suspension upon deposition of the hydroxide of aluminum, pH value of the water suspension before addition of the an aluminum compound, kind and amount of the aluminum compound added and final pH value of the water suspension, were changed variously, thereby obtaining yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al and the hydroxide of aluminum were successively deposited. The main production conditions used are shown in Table 4, and various properties of the obtained yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al and the hydroxide of aluminum were successively deposited, are shown in Table 5. Example 13: A wet cake (water-containing solid) of acicular iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles precipitated from an aqueous acid solution according to the above-mentioned method (C) (properties of the iron oxide hydroxide particles obtained by separating a part of the reaction solution to precipitate particles therefrom and then washing the particles with water were as follows; average major axis diameter: 0.38 µm, average minor axis diameter: 0.063 µm, aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) : 6.2, BET specific surface area: 20.1 m 2 /g, content of soluble sulfate: 5,780 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ) and content of soluble sodium salt: 2,560 ppm (calculated as Na)) were suspended in water to prepare 20 liters of a water suspension containing the iron oxide hydroxide particles in an amount of 50 g/liter. Next, the iron oxide hydroxide particles were sufficiently dispersed in the suspension using a high-speed dissolver and a vertical-type bead mill. At this time, the pH value of the suspension was 5.7. The thus obtained water suspension was heated to 80°C while stirring. While continuously stirring, the water suspension was mixed with a 0.1N-sodium hydroxide aqueous solution until the pH value of the water suspension reached 11.2. Thereafter, the water suspension was maintained under the condition for 30 minutes. The water suspension was filtered using a press filter to separate a solid component therefrom. The solid component was sufficiently water-washed while passing water therethrough. A part of the thus obtained wet cake was dried to obtain iron oxide hydroxide particles. The obtained iron oxide hydroxide particles had a soluble sulfate content of 235 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ), and a soluble sodium salt content of 1,221 ppm (calculated as Na). The obtained wet cake (water-containing solid) was separated again in water to prepare a water suspension. After the concentration of yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles in the water suspension was adjusted to 50 g/liter, the water suspension was heated to 80°C and mixed with a 1N acetic acid aqueous solution until the pH value of the water suspension reached 3.9. The water suspension was maintained under the condition for 30 minutes. Using a press filter, the water suspension was filtered to separate a solid component therefrom. The solid component was sufficiently water-washed while passing water therethrough. A part of the thus obtained wet cake was dried to obtain high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles. The obtained high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles had a soluble sulfate content of 189 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ), a soluble sodium salt content of 81 ppm (calculated as Na), and a hue represented by L* value of 62.1, a* value of 17.2 and b* value of 51.8. The obtained wet cake was separated again in water by using an agitator to adjust the concentration of the high purity iron oxide hydroxide in the water suspension to 45 g/liter. 20 liters of the resultant suspension having a pH value of 5.1 was mixed with 667 ml of a 0.5 mol/liter-aluminum acetate aqueous solution (corresponding to 1.0 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of the high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles) and with 952 ml of a 1.4 mol/liter-ferrous sulfate aqueous solution (atomic ratio of Al to Fe added: 1/4). The water suspension was heated to 80°C while passing air therethrough at a feed rate of 65 liters per minute. Thereafter, the pH value of the suspension was adjusted to 4.3 and maintained under this condition for 3 hours, thereby depositing a composite oxide hydroxide of Al and Fe on surfaces of the high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles. Successively, the water suspension was filtered using a press filter to separate a solid component therefrom. The solid component was sufficiently water-washed while passing water therethrough, thereby obtaining a wet cake of high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles. A part of the thus obtained wet cake was dried to obtain high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Al and Fe was deposited. As a result of fluorescent X-ray spectroscopy, it was determined that the high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Al and Fe was deposited, had aluminum content of 1.02 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of said iron oxide hydroxide as a core, iron content of 8.34 % by weight (calculated as Fe) based on the weight of said iron oxide hydroxide as a core and Al/Fe atomic ratio of 0.253 : 1, and had an average major axis diameter of 0.39 µm, an average minor axis diameter of 0.065 µm, an aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) of 6.0, a BET specific surface area of 18.9 m 2 /g, a soluble sulfate content of 211 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ), a soluble sodium salt content of 63 ppm (calculated as Na) and a heat-resistance temperature of 285°C. With respect to the hue of the high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Al and Fe was deposited, the L* value was 62.3; the a* value was 17.3; and the b* value was 52.0. Further, with respect to the change in hue from that of the initial iron oxide hydroxide particles, ΔL* was +0.2; Δa* was +0.1; and Δb* was +0.2. The gloss of the obtained high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles was 89 %. Example 14: The wet cake obtained in Example 13 was separated in water by using an agitator to prepare 20 liters of a water suspension containing the high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al was deposited, in an amount of 40 g/liter. The suspension was heated to 80°C, and then mixed with a 0.1N-NaOH solution until the pH value of the suspension reached 10.5. While continuously stirring, the suspension was mixed with 593 ml of an aqueous solution containing sodium aluminate (NA-170 produced by SUMITOMO CHEMICAL INDUSTRY, CO., LTD.) in an amount of 0.5 mol/liter (corresponding to 1.0 % by weight (calculated as Al) based on the weight of the high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al was deposited), and then maintained under this condition for 10 minutes. Thereafter, the suspension was mixed with a 1N-acetic acid aqueous solution until the pH value of the suspension reached 6.0, and then maintained under this condition for 30 minutes, thereby further precipitating and depositing a hydroxide of aluminum on the surfaces of the high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al was already deposited. Successively, the suspension was filtered using a press filter to separate a solid component therefrom. The solid component was sufficiently water-washed while passing water therethrough to obtain a wet cake. The thus obtained wet cake was dried at 120°C for 24 hours, and then pulverized by a free crusher (M-2 model manufactured by NARA KIKAI SEISAKUSHO CO., LTD.), thereby obtaining high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al and the hydroxide of aluminum were successively deposited. The obtained high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide (goethite) particles were subjected to fluorescent X-ray spectroscopy. As a result, it was determined that the high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Al and Fe and the hydroxide of aluminum were successively deposited, contained aluminum in an amount of 1.99 % by weight (calculated as Al). This showed that the content of aluminum in the hydroxide of aluminum deposited was 0.97 % by weight (calculated as Al) (1.99-1.02=0.97). Also, it was determined that the high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Al and Fe and the hydroxide of aluminum were successively deposited, had an average major axis diameter of 0.39 µm, an average minor axis diameter of 0.065 µm, a BET specific surface area of 18.9 m 2 /g, a soluble sulfate content of 175 ppm (calculated as SO 4 ), a soluble sodium salt content of 75 ppm (calculated as Na) and a heat-resistance temperature of 294°C. With respect to the hue of the high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Al and Fe and the hydroxide of aluminum were successively deposited, the L* value was 61.9; the a* value was 17.4; and the b* value was 52.1. Further, with respect to the change in hue from that of the initial iron oxide hydroxide particles, ΔL* was -0.2; Δa* was +0.2; and Δb* was +0.3. The gloss of the high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles was 96 %. Examples 15 to 19: The same procedure for high purification as defined in Example 13 was conducted except that kind of iron oxide hydroxide particles to be treated, concentration of iron oxide hydroxide particles in a water suspension, pH value when treated with an aqueous alkaline solution, heating temperature and time when treated with the aqueous alkaline solution, pH value when treated with an aqueous acid solution, and heating temperature and time when treated with the aqueous acid solution, were changed variously, thereby performing a high purification treatment in the same manner as defined in Example 13. The main production conditions used and various properties of the obtained high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles are shown in Table 6. Next, the same procedure for deposition of composite oxide hydroxide as defined in Example 13 was conducted except that kind of high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles used, concentration of high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles in a water suspension, pH value of the water suspension upon deposition of composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al, kind and amount of an aluminum compound added, kind and amount of an aqueous ferrous salt solution added, reaction temperature, pH value maintained, amount of air passed through the water suspension and reaction time, were changed variously, thereby depositing composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al on surfaces of high purity iron oxide hydroxide particles in the same manner as in Example 13. The main production conditions used are shown in Table 7, and various properties of the obtained high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al was deposited, are shown in Table 8. Examples 20 to 24: The same procedure as defined in Example 14 was conducted except that kind of high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al was deposited, concentration of the composite oxide hydroxide-deposited high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles in a water suspension upon deposition of hydroxide of aluminum, pH value of the water suspension before addition of an aluminum compound, kind and amount of the aluminum compound added, and final pH value of the water suspension, were changed variously, thereby obtaining high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al and the hydroxide of aluminum were successively deposited. The main production conditions used are shown in Table 9, and various properties of the obtained high purity yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al and the hydroxide of aluminum were successively deposited, are shown in Table 10. Comparative Example 1: The same iron oxide hydroxide particles as those used in Example 1, were used in this Comparative Example, but were subjected to neither deposition nor purification treatments according to the present invention. Various properties of the non-treated iron oxide hydroxide particles were measured by the same methods as defined above. The results of the measurements are shown in Table 11. As shown in Table 11, the iron oxide hydroxide particles obtained through respective steps of precipitation from the reaction solution, filtering-out, washing with water and drying, were deteriorated in heat resistance. Comparative Example 2: The same iron oxide hydroxide particles as those used in Example 1, were also used as raw particles, but none of heat-treatment in an aqueous alkaline solution, heat-treatment in an aqueous acid solution and deposition of composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al were conducted. Using the non-treated iron oxide hydroxide particles, the same procedure for deposition of hydroxide of aluminum as defined above was conducted except that the concentration of iron oxide hydroxide particles in a water suspension was adjusted to 50 g/liter, the amount of sodium aluminate added was 2.68 % by weight (calculated as Al) the pH value of the water suspension before addition of the aluminum compound was adjusted to 10.0, and the final pH value of the water suspension was adjusted to 7.0, thereby obtaining yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which the hydroxide of aluminum was deposited. Various properties of the obtained yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which only the hydroxide of aluminum was deposited, are shown in Table 11. As shown in Table 11, the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles on which only the hydroxide of aluminum was deposited, were still unsatisfactory in heat resistance. Comparative Example 3: The same iron oxide hydroxide particles as used in Example 1, were used to prepare a water suspension containing the iron oxide hydroxide particles in an amount of 50 g/liter. 20 liters of the suspension (corresponding to a solid content of 1 kg) was mixed with a 13N-NaOH solution to adjust the pH value of the suspension to 13.0. 700 ml of the suspension was separated and placed in a one-liter autoclave (manufactured by TOYO KOATSU CO., LTD.). While stirring, the suspension was heated to 220°C and maintained at that temperature for 30 minutes, followed by cooling. The suspension was taken out of the autoclave and sufficiently washed with water by decantation until filtrate therefrom became neutral. Next, a wet cake was filtered out using Nutsche, dried at 120°C for 24 hours and then pulverized to obtain iron oxide hydroxide particles. Various properties of the obtained iron oxide hydroxide particles are shown in Table 11. As shown in Table 11, the obtained iron oxide hydroxide particles exhibited large change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment. Reference Example 1: The same iron oxide hydroxide particles as used in Example 1, were used to prepare a water suspension containing the iron oxide hydroxide particles in an amount of 50 g/liter. 20 liters of the suspension (corresponding to a solid content of 1 kg) was added to 2 liters of an aqueous solution containing 156.4 g of aluminum sulfate, and intimately mixed together. 700 ml of the suspension was separated and placed in a one-liter autoclave (manufactured by TOYO KOATSU CO., LTD.). While stirring, the suspension was heated to 220°C and maintained at that temperature for 30 minutes, followed by cooling. The suspension was taken out of the autoclave and filtered using Nutsche to separate a filter cake therefrom. The filter cake was sufficiently washed with water until filtrate thereof became neutral. The obtained wet cake was dried at 120°C for 24 hours and then pulverized, thereby obtaining iron oxide hydroxide particles. Various properties of the obtained iron oxide hydroxide particles are shown in Table 11. As shown in Table 11, the obtained iron oxide hydroxide particles exhibited large change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment. Reference Example 2: The same iron oxide hydroxide particles as used in Example 1, were used to prepare a water suspension containing the iron oxide hydroxide particles in an amount of 46.7 g/l. The suspension was mixed with a 6N-NaOH solution to adjust the pH value of the suspension to 13.0. 700 ml of the suspension (corresponding to a solid content of 32.7 g) was separated and placed in a one-liter autoclave (manufactured by TOYO KOATSU CO., LTD.). While stirring, the suspension was heated to 180°C and maintained at that temperature for 120 minutes, followed by cooling. The suspension was taken out of the autoclave and mixed with 4.32 g of sodium aluminate (NA-170 produced by SUMITOMO CHEMICAL INDUSTRY, CO., LTD.). Further, diluted sulfuric acid was gradually added to the suspension to adjust the pH value of the suspension to 6.0. The suspension was sufficiently washed with water by decantation and then a filter cake was filtered out using Nutsche. The obtained wet cake was dried at 120°C for 24 hours and then pulverized, thereby obtaining yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles. Various properties of the obtained yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles are shown in Table 11. As shown in Table 11, the obtained yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles exhibited large change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment. Reference Examples 3: The same iron oxide hydroxide particles as used in Example 1, were used to prepare a water suspension containing the iron oxide hydroxide particles in an amount. of 46.7 g/liter. The suspension was mixed with a 6N-NaOH solution to adjust the pH value of the suspension to 12.0. 700 ml of the suspension (corresponding to a solid content of 32.7 g) was separated, mixed with an aqueous solution containing 2.87 g of sodium aluminate (NA-170 produced by SUMITOMO CHEMICAL INDUSTRY, CO., LTD.) and then placed in a one-liter autoclave (manufactured by TOYO KOATSU CO., LTD.). While stirring, the suspension was heated to 180°C and hydrothermally treated at that temperature for 60 minutes, followed by cooling. The suspension was taken out of the autoclave, sufficiently washed with water by decantation and then filtered using Nutsche to separate a filter cake therefrom. The obtained wet cake was dried at 120°C for 4 hours and then pulverized, thereby obtaining yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles. Various properties of the obtained yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles are shown in Table 11. As shown in Table 11, the obtained yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles exhibited large change in hue between before and after the heat resistance-improving treatment. Examples 25 to 44, Comparative Examples 4 to 6 and Reference Examples 4 to 6: Using yellow pigments containing the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles obtained in Examples 3 to 12 and 15 to 24, solvent-based paints were produced in the same manner as the production method described hereinbefore with respect to measurements of hue and gloss. The main production conditions and various properties of the obtained paints are shown in Table 12 and 13. Example 45: <Production of water-based paint> 7.62 g of pigment particles composed of yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles obtained in Example 3 was charged together with other components shown below into 140 ml glass bottle. These components were intimately mixed and dispersed together with 90 g of 3 mm glass beads by a paint shaker for 45 minutes to prepare a mill base. Composition of mill base: Pigment particles (yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles) 12.4 parts by weight Water-soluble alkyd resin (Tradename: S-118 produced by DAI-NIPPON INK KAGAKU KOGYO CO., LTD.) 9.0 parts by weight Antifoaming agent 0.1 part by weight Water 4.8 parts by weight Butyl Cellosolve 4.1 parts by weight The thus obtained mill base and the other components shown below were blended together, and further intimately mixed and dispersed by a paint shaker for 15 minutes to prepare a water-based paint. Composition of water-based paint: Mill base (prepared above) 30.4 parts by weight Water-soluble alkyd resin (Tradename: S-118 produced by DAI-NIPPON INK KAGAKU KOGYO CO., LTD.) 46.2 parts by weight Water-soluble melamine resin (Tradename: S-695 produced by DAI-NIPPON INK KAGAKU KOGYO CO., LTD.) 12.6 parts by weight Antifoaming agent (Tradename: NOPCO 8034 produced by SAN-NOPCO CO., LTD.) 0.1 part by weight Water 9.1 parts by weight Butyl Cellosolve 1.6 parts by weight Examples 46 to 64, Comparative Example 7 to 9 and Reference Examples 7 to 9: The same procedure as defined in Example 45 was conducted except that various kinds of yellow iron oxide hydroxide pigments were used instead of that used in Example 45, thereby producing water-based paints. The main production conditions and various properties of the obtained water-based paints are shown in Tables 14 and 15. Example 65: <Production of resin composition containing yellow pigment> 1.5 g of yellow pigment composed of yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles obtained in Example 3 and 48.5 g of polyvinyl chloride (103EP8D produced by NIPPON ZEON CO., LTD.) were weighed, charged into a 100 cc beaker and intimately mixed together by a spatula to obtain mixed particles. The thus obtained particles were mixed with 0.5 g of calcium stearate. The mixture was then gradually supplied to hot rolls which were heated at 160°C and whose clearance was set to 0.2 mm, and continuously kneaded together until uniform resin composition was obtained. Thereafter, the obtained resin composition was separated from the hot rolls, and used as a raw material for colored resin plate. Next, the above-mentioned resin composition was interposed between surface-polished stainless steel plates, and pressure-molded in a hot press heated to 180°C while applying a pressing force of 1 ton/cm 2 thereto, thereby producing a colored resin plate having a thickness of 1 mm. Examples 66 to 84, Comparative Examples 10 to 12 and Reference Examples 10 to 12: The same procedure as defined in Example 65 was conducted except that various kinds of yellow iron oxide hydroxide pigments were used instead of that used in Example 65, thereby producing resin compositions. The main production conditions and various properties of the obtained resin compositions are shown in Tables 16 and 17.

Claims: Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles comprising iron oxide hydroxide core particles provided with a composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al on the surface thereof, wherein: (i) the amount of Al in the composite oxide hydroxide is from 0.1 to 10 % by weight, calculated as Al, based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide core particle; (ii) the amount of Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide is 0.1 to 50 % by weight, calculated as Fe, based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide core particle; (iii) the ratio of Al to Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide is from 0.05:1 to 2:1, calculated as Al and Fe atoms; and (iv) said yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles have an average major axis diameter of from 0.1 to 1.0 µm, an average minor axis diameter of from 0.02 to 0.10 µm, an aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) of from 2 to 20, a BET specific surface area of from 10 to 180 m 2 /g and a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 255°C. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to claim 1, wherein the amount of Al in the composite oxide hydroxide is from 0.15 to 8 % by weight, calculated as Al, based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide core particle, the amount of Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide is from 0.15 to 30 % by weight, calculated as Fe, based on the weight of the iron oxide hydroxide core particle, and the ratio of Al to Fe in the composite oxide hydroxide is from 0.1:1 to 1:1, calculated as Al and Fe atoms. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the average major axis diameter is from 0.15 to 0.8 µm, the average minor axis diameter is from 0.025 to 0.08 µm, the aspect ratio (major axis diameter/minor axis diameter) is from 2.5 to 15, and the BET specific surface area is from 12 to 150 m 2 /g. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat-resistance temperature is not less than 265°C. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to any one of the preceding claims, which have a gloss of 70 to 110 % when light is irradiated on a coating film containing the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles at an incident angle of 20°. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to claim 5, wherein the gloss is 80 to 110%. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which further comprise a hydroxide of aluminum provided on the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide and which have a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 265°C. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to claim 7, wherein the amount of the hydroxide of aluminum is from 0.1 to 20.0 % by weight, calculated as Al, based on the weight of said iron oxide hydroxide core particles. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the heat-resistance temperature is not less than 275°C. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to any one of claims 7 to 9, which have a gloss of 75 to 115 % when light is irradiated on a coating film containing the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles at an incident angle of 20°C. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to claim 10, wherein the gloss is 85 to 115%. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which further comprise (i) a soluble sodium salt content of not more than 1,000 ppm, calculated as Na; and (ii) a soluble sulfate content of not more than 2,000 ppm, calculated as SO 4 ; and which have a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 265°C. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to claim 12, wherein (i) the soluble sodium salt content is not more than 700 ppm, calculated as Na; and (ii) the soluble sulfate content is not more than 1,500 ppm, calculated as SO 4 . Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the heat-resistance temperature is not less than 270°C. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to any one of claims 12 to 14, which have a gloss of 80 to 120% when light is irradiated on a coating film containing the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles at an incident angle of 20°C. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to claim 15, wherein the gloss is 90 to 115%. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to claim 12 or 13, which further comprise a hydroxide of aluminum provided on the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide and have a heat-resistance temperature of not less than 275°C. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to claim 17, wherein the amount of the hydroxide of aluminum is from 0.1 to 20.0% by weight, calculated as Al, based on the weight of said iron oxide hydroxide core particles. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the heat-resistance temperature is not less than 280°C. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to any one of claims 17 to 19, which have a gloss of 85 to 120 % when light is irradiated on a coating film containing the yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles at an incident angle of 20°C. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to claim 20, wherein the gloss is 90 to 120%. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to any one of the preceding claims, which have a change in hue from that of the iron oxide hydroxide core particles of ΔL* value of -1.0 to +1.0, Δa* value of -1.0 to +1.0 and Δb* value of -1.0 to +1.0. Yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles according to claim 22, wherein the ΔL* value is -0.5 to +0.5, Δa* value is -0.5 to +0.5 and Δb* value of -0.5 to +0.5. Use of yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles as defined in any one of the preceding claims as a pigment. A paint comprising a paint base material and yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles as defined in any one of claims 1 to 23. A paint according to claim 25, wherein said particles are present in an amount of from 10 to 90 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said paint base material. A rubber or resin composition comprising a rubber or resin base material and yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles as defined in any one of claims 1 to 23. A rubber or resin composition according to claim 27, wherein said particles are present in an amount of from 0.01 to 200 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said rubber or resin base material. A process for producing yellow iron oxide hydroxide particles, comprising: (i) adding to a water dispersion containing iron oxide hydroxide particles, an aluminum compound and a ferrous salt compound in amounts of 0.1 to 10 % by weight, calculated as Al, and 0.1 to 50 % by weight, calculated as Fe, respectively, based on the weight of said iron oxide hydroxide particles, whilst stirring; and (ii) passing a molecular oxygen-containing gas through the resulting dispersion to provide a composite oxide hydroxide of Fe and Al on the surface of said iron oxide hydroxide particles. A process according to claim 29, which further comprises: (iii) adjusting the pH of the dispersion obtained in step (ii) to not less than 10 or not more than 4; (iv) adding an aluminum compound to said dispersion whilst stirring; and (v) adjusting the pH of the resulting dispersion to from 5 to 9 to deposit a hydroxide of aluminum on the surface of the composite oxide hydroxide. A process according to claim 29 or 30 wherein the iron oxide particles employed in step (i) are produced by a process comprising: (a) heat-treating iron oxide hydroxide particles in an aqueous alkaline solution having a pH of not less than 10; (b) filtering and washing with water the resulting particles, thereby reducing the content of a soluble sulfate in said iron oxide hydroxide particles to not more than 2,000 ppm, calculated as SO 4 ; (c) heat-treating the obtained iron oxide hydroxide particles in an aqueous acid solution having a pH of not more than 4; and (d) filtering and washing with water the resulting particles, thereby reducing the content of a soluble sodium salt in said iron oxide hydroxide particles to not more than 1,000 ppm, calculated as Na.

Inventors: HAYASHI KAZUYUKI, MORII HIROKO, OHSUGI MINEKO, SUMITA HIROSHI, HAYASHI, KAZUYUKI, MORII, HIROKO, OHSUGI, MINEKO, SUMITA, HIROSHI
Applicants: TODA KOGYO CORP, TODA KOGYO CORPORATION
Application year: 1998
Main classification: C09C1
IPC codes: C09C1, C08K9