Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasma torch intended for being submerged into a bath of molten metal, such as for example a steel melt. The torch comprises an outer electrode made from a non-consumable material and an inner electrode, where at least the outer electrode is made from a copper pipe having internal channels for circulation of a cooling medium, said copper pipe at least on the outside having a layer of refractory material.The layer of refractory material has a thickness between 1 and 5 mm and is made from Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or from ZrO.sub.2 stabilized with 5-25% by weight of MgO and/or Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 or oxides of other rare earth elements.