NOVELTY - A reinforced ceramic refractory is made from as-batched composition comprising: alumina; a rare earth oxide; an oxide of a transition metal comprising Sc, Zn, Ga, Y, Cd, In, Sn and/or Tl; and chopped ceramic fibers containing nanofibrils; the refractory exhibiting a modulus of rupture measured at 2500 degrees F (1371 degrees C) of at least 2500 psi, as determined by the test method ASTM C583.    USE - As reinforced ceramic refractory (claimed) used in the aluminum and steel industries; in furnace wall linings for use in processing molten metals and glass; in slide gates, tundish lances, and various castable shapes such as cones and mill rolls for use in the iron, steel, aluminum and glass industries; in fuel cells, such as for use in making insulator plates and reformer box housings; as electric kiln tiles; as catalyst supports for hot gaseous process (e.g. removal of particulates, sulfur, NOx, from exhaust gas streams), filter mediums for hot gaseous separations; and as the refractory lining for an aluminum crucible or furnace.    ADVANTAGE - The reinforced ceramic refractory may be formed in any desired shape depending upon its intended use. The refractory may be used in high temperature applications where high impact resistance is required. The reinforced ceramic refractory has excellent resistance to molten metal penetration, good abrasion resistance, high strength and retention of strength at elevated temperatures which is superior to other refractories having a composition which is greater than 90% alumina. These properties make the refractory suitable for any application requiring high strength at elevated temperatures.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for process for making a reinforced ceramic refractory, involving wetting chopped ceramic fibers with an acidic solution for an effective period of time to form wetted chopped ceramic fibers containing nanofibrils; mixing the wetted chopped ceramic fibers with alumina particulates, particulates of an oxide of a transition metal comprising Sc, Zn, Ga, Y, Cd, In, Sn and/or Tl, and particulates of a rare earth oxide to form an as-batched composition; and drying the as-batched composition and heating the as-batched composition to form the reinforced ceramic refractory.