the slot conversely where aerodynamics is not affected the ring may be located against the stave without a slot as the support rings undergo thermal expansion the staves will move relative to the slotted fastener assemblies 33 the direction of movement will be about the circumference as shown by arrow 50 to prevent further stresses on the staves due to thermal expansion turbulence or other phenomenon the nozzle may be configured to allow slight rotation about fixed fastener assembly 42 fig5 shows an individual stave according to an alternative embodiment wherein multiple slotted fastener assemblies 133 are included to attach to the forward ring this configuration may be useful in providing stability for wider staves each of the slotted fastener assemblies 133 allow some movement in a direction about the circumference as indicated by arrow 150 fig6 illustrates a typical metallic engine exhaust nozzle assembled on a jet engine 200 on an airplane 202 the use of the stave and ring concept has several advantages over both metallic nozzle structures and monolithic ceramic structures for example if a single stave begins to crack that crack will not propagate beyond the single stave further if an individual stave is damaged for any reason that individual stave can be replaced rather than the entire exhaust nozzle moreover the use of individual staves instead of a single piece construction cmc exhaust nozzle allows the individual staves to be prepared in smaller ovens than a cmc exhaust nozzle formed as a single piece.