Slagline sleeve for submerged entry nozzle and composition therefor

In a method for making a nozzle for pouring molten metal, said nozzle comprising a body portion and a slagline sleeve portion attached thereto;

• said body portion having a shape which includes an exterior surface and an inner surface region wherein said inner surface region defines a bore extending therethrough for the passage of molten metal;
• said slagline sleeve portion being located around at least a circumferential portion of said exterior surface for contact with a slag layer in a continuous casting mold;
• said method comprising forming said body portion by molding a first mixture containing resin binder, graphite and metal oxide refractory particles, into the shape of said body portion and then curing the resin of said first mixture;
• and
• forming a second mixture which comprises zirconium oxide, graphite and resin binder capable of forming a resite during a curing reaction which liberates water, coating said second mixture onto at least a circumferential portion of said exterior surface and then curing said resin of said second mixture to form a resite, said zirconium oxide optionally containing a stabilizing amount of CaO or MgO within the crystalline structure thereof;
• wherein the improvement comprises the further inclusion of an effective amount of CaO containing powder in said second mixture to counteract contractile forces which develop when said resin of said second mixture is cured to form said resite, said CaO containing powder being separate and distinct from said optional CaO or MgO contained within the crystalline structure of said zirconium oxide.