A composition for a refractory material comprising a base mixture having a composition in oxide (mol %) as follows: SiO2 between 69% and 73%; Al2O3 between 22% and 28%; TiO2 between 0.4% and 1%; Fe2O3 between 0.2% and 1%; CaO between 0.1% and 1%; MgO between 0.1% and 1%; K.sub.2O between 0.5% and 2%; Na.sub.2O between 0.1% and 0.5%; and comprising a filler mixture comprising at least one from between a schamotte and a smelting agent.

A composition for a refractory material comprising a base mixture having a composition in oxide (mol %) as follows: SiO2 between 69% and 73%; Al2O3 between 22% and 28%; TiO2 between 0.4% and 1%; Fe2O3 between 0.2% and 1%; CaO between 0.1% and 1%; MgO between 0.1% and 1%; K.sub.2O between 0.5% and 2%; Na.sub.2O between 0.1% and 0.5%; and comprising a filler mixture comprising at least one from between a schamotte and a smelting agent.

A method for manufacturing a ceramic material for thermal energy storage, includes producing a mixture of at least particles of clay and particles of natural and/or synthetic phosphate, and water, the mixture comprising between 0.5% and 40% by weight of phosphate compared to the weight of the mixture with the exception of water, and shaping and firing of the mixture to obtain the ceramic material. A ceramic material for thermal energy storage includes: a matrix of clay and, if appropriate, sand, and particles of a natural and/or synthetic phosphate dispersed in the matrix, the ceramic material comprising between 0.5% and 40% by weight of phosphate compared to the weight of the ceramic material. A method for storing thermal energy in the ceramic material includes: placing a heat transfer fluid in contact with the ceramic material, to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to the ceramic material in a charge phase, and to transfer heat from the ceramic material to the heat transfer fluid in a discharge phase.