Highly porous cordierite ceramic by using of talcum, kaolinite and γ-alumina was obtained by method of slip casting of concentrated suspension. Additives of amorphous silica and non-stabilized zirconia in the amount of 5 wt% were used. Sintering temperature of dried samples was in range of 1250 – 1450°C. All the samples contain crystalline phases of cordierite, mullite and corundum but, depending on the additives, as a result of sintering in addition forms spinel, cristobalite or zircon (ZrSiO4). Porosity of obtained materials changes in large scale from 42 to 59 per cent; it is influenced by both sintering temperature and composition. Compressive strength increases with the addition of zirconia. In comparison, compressive strength of samples without additives or with silica additive does not exceed 3.5 MPa. The increase of coefficient of thermal expansion depends both on the composition and sintering temperature. ZrO2 additive increases the coefficient of thermal expansion considerably.