Abstract: A method of forming fiber reinforced aluminum phosphate bonded material having improved strength at elevated temperatures. The method comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a slurry by blending alumina and aluminum phosphate solution, the slurry being substantially free of silica; (b) providing a fiber substrate coated with a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, tungsten, molybdenum, platinum, copper, silver, gold, palladium, cobalt, chromium and titanium; (c) infiltrating the slurry into the fiber substrate; and (d) curing the infiltrated substrate to form a fiber reinforced aluminum phosphate bonded composite material. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fiber substrate is made from SiC fibers and the refractory metal is electrolessly coated nickel.