A ramming mass for producing hot joints when block lining refractory elements of a refractory lining of a metallurgical vessel, the ramming mass comprising:
- a granular phase comprising carbon or carbon-based granules having a microporous structure;
- a binder comprising at least one component based on tar or polymerising resin, and an additive composed of metallic silicon powder, the binder capable of developing a microporous structure having an average pore size of 2 μm or less on firing at high temperature, by forming SiC whiskers which develop across pores of hardened tarry or polymerised material.