Injection nozzle with multi-piece tip portion

A hot runner nozzle comprising:

• a hot runner nozzle body having a nozzle melt channel therethrough and having a nozzle body head portion;
• a nozzle heater coupled to the hot runner nozzle body;
• a nozzle tip having an outer surface and an nozzle tip melt channel, wherein the nozzle tip is made from a sintered metal matrix composite (MMC) powder material, the nozzle tip having a first coefficient of thermal conductivity and a first coefficient of thermal expansion at an operating temperature window between about 100 degrees C. and about 400 degrees C. provided by the nozzle heater, and wherein the nozzle tip is removably coupled to the hot runner nozzle;
• a tip seal surrounding the nozzle tip and having an inner surface and an outer surface and is made from a sintered ceramic-based powder material, the tip seal having a second coefficient of thermal conductivity lower than the first coefficient of thermal conductivity and a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is at least equal lower than the first coefficient of thermal expansion at an operating temperature window between about 100 degrees C. and about 400 degrees C. provided by the heater, and wherein the tip seal is removably coupled to the nozzle tip, wherein the tip seal is configured to form a seal with a mold component having a mold gate that adjacent the nozzle tip;
• and
• a seal and connector element made as a unitary component, where the seal and connector element contacting both the nozzle tip and the tip seal, and wherein the unitary seal and connector element is positioned onto the nozzle tip and removably couples the tip seal to the nozzle tip, and controls a first seal between the nozzle tip and the tip seal.