Abstract: Improved refractories for resisting attack of molten titanium aluminum and similar metals are provided by the inclusion of sulfur. Metal, oxygen, and sulfur combinations, wherein sulfur is present at from 10 to 60 atomic percent, are particularly useful.Disclosed is a material having the atomic formula M.sub.a S.sub.b O.sub.c where O is oxygen, S is sulfur, and M is at least one metal selected from the scandium subgroup of the periodic table transition metals (scandium, yttrium and the rare earths) and aluminum. In an alternate material, M is comprised of at least two elements, the first selected as above and the second selected from the alkaline earth metal group. A preferred material is formed by mixing and firing CaS and Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 in proportions which results in (Ca+Y).sub.0.43 S.sub.0.14 O.sub.0.43.