A protective member (14) and a nozzle assembly (11) incorporating the protective member (14) are provided. The protective member (14) is for use with a nozzle (12) having a strand guide passageway (18) for receiving a strand (16) of material. Protective member (14) comprises a body (60) configured to be received in the strand guide passageway (18) of the nozzle (12). The body (60) of the protective member (14) has a passageway (63) for the strand (16) and is disposed between the strand guide passageway (18) and the moving strand (16). The body (60) of the protective member (14) is composed, at least in part, of a material having a wear resistance sufficient to resist wear caused by the strand (16) being guided thereby. Alternatively, a portion of the body (60) may be coated with a material having a wear resistance sufficient to resist wear caused by the strand (16).