An aluminum phosphate composition comprising aluminum phosphate, aluminum
polyphosphate, aluminum metaphosphate, or a mixture thereof. The
composisition may be characterized by, when in powder form, having
particles wherein some of the particles have at least one or more voids
per particle. In addition, the composition is characterized by exhibiting
two endothermic peaks in Differential Scanning Calorimetry between about
90 degrees to about 250 degrees Celsius. The composition is also
characterized by, when in powder form, having a dispersibility of at
least 0.025 grams per 1.0 gram of water. The composition is made by a
process comprising contacting phosphoric acid with aluminum sulfate and
an alkaline solution to produce an aluminum phosphate based product; and
optionally calcining the aluminum phosphate, polyphosphate or
metaphosphate based product at an elevated temperature. The composition
is useful in paints and as a substitute for titanium dioxide.