A stud and stud arrangement protects the water-cooled tubes of a slag tap outlet from corrosion and erosion by flowing slag and flue gas. The stud is a generally annular or ring-like segment. The stud has a projection terminating in an edge adapted to contact a tube at stud contact area, and has a weld surface for receiving a weld. The weld contacts a tube at a weld contact area and thermally andphysically connects the stud to a tube. The weld surface area is greater than the stud contact area, thereby improving heat transfer between the tube and stud. The studs are disposed in an arrangement that is staggered in a direction perpendicular to the flow slag and flue gas.