A refractory plate member (8) for the side containment in continuous casting machines of the type comprising two counterrotating rollers (1, 2), including two or more overlapped ceramic and/or refractory layers is provided, the plate member (8) is characterised in that the first layer (9; 91) of said plate member (8) is made of a material that can be easily wearied under the action of said rolls (1, 2) during the starting step, and in that the second layer (10; 101) underlying the first layer is made of a ceramic and/or refractory and/or carbon material having a very high wear and thermal shock resistance and self-lubricating properties.