About Manganese |
Manganese is a little-known element, yet it is the fourth most used metal in terms of tonnage after iron, aluminium and copper, with 2007 production totalling 38 million tons.
Manganese has numerous applications which affect our daily lives as consumers, whether it be objects made with steel, portable batteries, or aluminium beverage cans. In each case manganese plays a vital role in improving the properties of the alloys and compounds involved in each specific application.
Manganese has played a key role in the development of various steelmaking processing, and its continuing importance is evidenced by the fact that 90% of all manganese consumed annually goes into the production of steel as an alloying agent and for its properties as a sulphide forming agent and deoxidant. No satisfactory subsititute for manganese in the manufacturing of steel has been identified due to its outstanding technical benefits. After steel the second most important market for manganese, in dioxide form, is for the production of portable dry batteries.
For more information about manganese visit the International Manganese Institute at http://www.manganese.org. |
