A few important things to know about manganese steel
You certainly know that steel is made from iron. But do you know that steel is made of manganese as well? Though it is required in small quantities, it is essential for steel production.
Things to know about manganese steel
We regularly use this element in the form of steel without having much knowledge about it. Let’s have a quick look at some important aspects of manganese steel.
• Manganese steel, aka Hadfield steel, is a steel alloy having 12 to 14 percent manganese. It is also known as mangalloy. The alloy is preferred due to its resistance capacity to abrasion and high impact strength. However, these properties are at their best in the hardened state of the element. Manganese steel is optimally hardening steel.
• Manganese steel is mostly used in the mining industry. It is used the production of rock crushers, tractor crawler treads, cement blenders, shovel buckets, and lifts. It is also used in the railway industry as well as a few more high-impact environments like window bars in the prisons, safes and bullet-proof cupboards, and anti-drill plates. Choosing the right manganese steel casting manufacturer is essential to ensure the quality of the metal.
• Almost all steels including low-alloy steels rust if kept in the moist atmosphere. However, due to the presence of manganese (Mn) in higher quantity in the steel, it is corrosion-resistant. This is because of the adsorption of Mn ions.
• Manganese steel is non-magnetic. However, it has all the wear and work hardening traits. Being non-magnetic, manganese steel is an ideal choice for industrial lifting magnets and electrical transformer assemblies.
• Oftentimes mangalloys can’t be used due to the difficulty in machining them. They are even known for having zero machinability. This ferrous metal can’t be softened easily. It quickly hardens during cutting and grinding. It needs special equipment for machining. Carbide or diamond can be used for cutting. Oxy-acetylene torch needs to be used for cutting them. Nevertheless, laser cutting or plasma cutting is the preferred way.
• Manganese steel plates are weldable. But the heat should be kept down. Cool the weld at the
earliest. Otherwise, there will be the chance of cracking. Below 500-degree Fahrenheit interpass temperature is required during the process to avoid the harm caused by the toxic nature of manganese steel weld fumes.
Considering the facts mentioned above, manganese steel casting plants usually have a steel foundry with special tools. The tools are used for melting the metal and annealing casting. The plants are also equipped with a machine shop and a pattern shop having different grinding apparatus.
