Abstract: An alumina-carbon shape is manufactured from a composition comprising 1-8 weight percent fine silicon, 1-16 weight percent reactive alumina, 1-30 weight percent calcined fluidized bed coke, 1-30 weight percent of a spalling inhibiting additive, and the balance of the mix synthetic alumina, plus the additions of 5-10 weight percent of a high carbon yielding resin as a molding vehicle and 0.5-4 weight percent solvent, and up to 2 weight percent of a low temperature curing agent, such as, paraformaldehyde or hydrochloric acid. The mix is formed at ambient temperature into a shape through an injection molding process. Solidification is accomplished by curing in the mold at a temperature less than 100.degree. C. After stripping the shape from the mold, the solvents are removed from the shape by drying at a temperature above 100.degree. C. The shapes are then heated to a temperature above 550.degree. C. to coke the resin.