Manganese (Mn), although used in small quantities, is a vital component of the modern-day steel-making industry. It is an important, chemically active element that is present in all types of commercial-grade steels. Manganese contributes greatly to steel’s strength, toughness, and hardness.
That’s not all. Below, this stainless steel slitting company in Sunnyvale, California is going to discuss some of the key things you should know about the role of manganese in the production of steel.
Manganese Assists in the Deoxidation of Steel
Iron-containing metals, such as steel, are prone to forming rust, which weakens the metal’s stability. Therefore, the addition of manganese provides the necessary protection to steel, preventing the effects of oxidation. Manganese is an active deoxidizer. It segregates less than many other elements. You may be surprised to learn that manganese is the second most common alloying agent used in commercial applications.
Manganese Improves Hot Workability of Steel
Adding the right amounts of manganese helps shape steel better. When sulfur, an undesirable impurity in steel, reacts with manganese, it produces manganese sulfides to allow the metal to remain solid and assist with hot working capabilities. Without manganese, steel becomes a very brittle material at extreme temperatures, which limits its ability to be used by your stainless steel slitting company in Sunnyvale, California.
Manganese Increases the Hardness of Steel
Manganese greatly impacts the hardness of steel compared to many other alloying agents. When added to steel in appropriate quantities, manganese improves the hardness of steel. It has a greater impact than many other alloying agents used for this. It works alongside carbon to improve steel’s composition and promote a steady form. Manganese also reduces the cooling rate of steel to keep substances like ferrite and cementite away and enhances the resilience of steel.
What Else?
Manganese is a transition metal found naturally occurring in various minerals — never on its own. Its consumption accounts for over 90% of the steel industry in the US and worldwide. Most of the metal is used in refining iron ore, whereas the remaining is utilized in the final production stages. When in the production phase, manganese helps removes sulfur and oxygen from iron ore, converting it into real steel. As an essential alloy, it allows your stainless steel slitting company in Sunnyvale, California to remove the brittleness of steel. Manganese is a brittle, silvery-white component and the fifth most available metal in the earth’s crust.
Apart from the uses mentioned above, manganese also helps improve the surface quality of steel, enhance the wear resistance in carbon-containing austenitic steels, and effectively control the precipitation process. It enhances free-cutting steel, promotes fracture resistance, and extends the usefulness of low- and high-carbon steel grades. Correct amounts of manganese in steel can assist in suppressing strain aging, decreasing distortion, and preventing quench cracking. If you would like to learn more about the use of manganese in stainless steel, do not hesitate to contact a professional stainless steel slitting company in Sunnyvale, California.
Looking for the Top-Rated Stainless Steel Slitting Company in Sunnyvale, California?
Manganese is an easily overlooked addition to steel, but it plays a significant role in helping the metal achieve its various metallurgical, chemical, and mechanical properties. Our metallurgists understand this, which is why we take the time to carefully analyze and inspect all the materials that come through our facilities to ensure the highest level of quality.
Are you ready to order steel for your manufacturing needs? If so, and if you’re looking for the top-rated stainless steel slitting company in Sunnyvale, California, look no further than the professionals at National Kwikmetal Services. Contact us today at 1800-722-5029 to get started.