Abstract: The disclosed invention is a ceramic composition and a process for forming thin tapes and bodies with minimal and controllable firing-induced shrinkage. The composition comprises a refractory component, a glass component and may also include a metal component. The glass component should have no more than about five percent of particles less than 10 microns. The glass component is not milled with the refractory component. They are briefly blended, e.g., by high shear mixing, in a manner which will preserve the particle size and particle size distribution of the glass. The resultant mixture is cast into a sheet or tape, with minimal or no pressure, dried and fired.