Abstract: An immersion pouring spout for introducing molten metal, such as steel, into an ingot mold is provided with a top head and a cylindrical pouring tube including a protective external jacket attached by cement to the pouring tube and extending the entire length of the pouring tube. The jacket material has a thermal conductivity that is less than the thermal conductivity of the pouring tube material.

Abstract: A refractory article for casting of liquid melts, especially steel, fabricated from a mixture of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, graphite, a flux component, a synthetic resin binder and a metallic powder. The flux component contains a first flux with a melting point from 550.degree. to 900.degree. C. and a second flux that becomes active in the mixture in a temperature ranging from 1350.degree. and 1550.degree. C. The refractory article need not be heated before use, and the carbon contained therein, which determines the strength of the article, is retained for a much longer period during use, so that the article will have a long service life.