Abstract: A rigid carbon steel band may be used in a stationary top plate for a sliding gate valve and in the manufacture thereof. The refractory material in a stationary top plate may be compressibly held by a steel band having sufficient rigidity and size to prevent cracking of the refractory material during handling and use, and having sufficient length to allow the band's distal ends to be welded end-to-end. The welded band may be heat processed to set the size of the band and maintain the desired amount of refractory compression. The thickness of the plate of refractory material may be the same adjacent the aperture for the teeming metal and at the periphery of the plate.