A coal gasification nozzle is disclosed having a barrier, integral with the face of the injector, that fits into a groove of a heat shield attached to the nozzle face. The barrier prevents oxidative corrosion of the shield, and subsequent damage to the underlying face of the feed injector, by preventing diffusion of corrosive species to the threaded ring by which the heat shield is attached to the face of the nozzle. The life of the injector, and thus the length of any single gasification campaign, is thereby extended.