Abstract: Refractory filaments in the form of a multifilament tow or fabrics woven therefrom are coated with protective oxide coatings to provide reinforcing materials that are useful in creating refractory composites. The refractory filaments are contacted with a liquid medium which contains a metal oxide or metal oxide precursor so that a substantially continuous coating of metal oxide or metal oxide precursor forms on the surface of each of the filaments. The filaments are then treated to substantially remove residual components of the liquid medium other than the metal oxide or metal oxide precursor. The coated filaments are stabilized, the above steps optionally are repeated to increase the coating thickness, and the coated filaments are heated to convert the metal oxide or metal oxide precursor into substantially continuous, uniform metal oxide coatings on the filaments.