| abstract |
The present invention concerns a nozzle assembly (20, 30) for a metal casting apparatus selected from a sliding gate and a tube exchange device, said nozzle assembly comprising: a first refractory element (1 ) comprising a first coupling surface (1 a) which includes a first bore aperture, and a second refractory element (11 ) comprising a second coupling surface (1 1a), which includes a second bore aperture, the first and second elements being coupled to one another in a sliding translation relationship through their respective first and second coupling surfaces such that the first and second bore apertures can be brought into and out of registry to define, when in registry, a continuous bore (3, 13) for discharging molten metal from a molten metal inlet (13a) to a molten metal outlet (3b) of said nozzle assembly, a sealing member (2) provided between the first and second coupling surfaces of the first and second elements, characterized in that, the sealing member (2) comprises a thermally intumescent material. |