Shaped, porous filter members having a size and shape adapted for the filtration of liquid metals, e.g., the configuration of a honeycomb, are comprised of a porous alveolar ceramic material including from 10 to 20% SiO.sub.2, from 50 to 60% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and from 20 to 40% ZrO.sub.2, each percentage being by weight with respect to the total weight of said oxides, said Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2 being present in the form of mullite, 3Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 /2SiO.sub.2, and the combined weight of the zirconia and mullite comprising at least 90% by weight of said alveolar ceramic material.