This invention relates to a composition comprising: ceramic refractory particulates made from alumina, one or more rare earth oxides, one or more oxides of a transition metal, the transition metal being Sc, Zn, Ga, Y, Cd, In, Sn, Tl, or a mixture of two or more thereof; an alumina and phosphate containing composition; and water. The composition is free of SiO2 or substantially free of SiO2, and is useful as a mortar or coating for molten aluminum or steel contact refractories.