Abstract: The present invention relates to refractory articles for guiding or conveying a solidified material comprising a vitreous silica basis, in particular rollers or guiding elements and to a process for the manufacture of said articles which do not show the pickup problems normally observed with the articles of the art. The refractory articles of the invention comprise a vitreous basis and, homogeneously distributed therein, a carbonaceous material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roller (21) from a refractory material, for example in vitreous silica, for transporting a flat article provided at its end with a new arrangement for rotationally driving it as well as to an assembly of such a roller and its driving device. This roller (21) comprises an external surface (2), an inner surface (5) and two side surfaces (12), at least one side surface having indentations (22) parallel to the roller axis (3) and spaced apart from the external (2) and inner surface (5) for receiving rotationally driving pins (8), it is characterized in that at least one of the indentations (22) of the roller is provided with a metal jacket (24). The invention permits to avoid the breakage of the roller around the driving indentations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roller from a refractory material, for example in vitreous silica, for transporting a flat article provided at its end with a new arrangement for rotationally driving it as well as to an assembly of such a roller and its driving device. This roller comprises an external surface and two side surfaces, at least one side surface having indentations for receiving rotationally driving pins, it is characterized in that the openings of said indentations which extends in the radial direction of the roller are spaced apart from the external surface of the roller and in that the indentations have a cross-section which is larger in the radial direction of the roller than in the tangential direction. The invention permits to avoid the breakage of the roller around the driving indentations.