What are the key things to know about manganese steel?
Manganese steel also known as mangalloy is a form of alloy steel that contains about 13% manganese on an average. According to a reputable Manganese Steel Casting Manufacturer, it is known for its high impact strength as well as abrasion resistance capacity in work-hardened state.
Before you buy manganese alloy, let’s have a check at the following things.
Where is it used?
Owing to the self hardening properties, manganese steel or mangalloy is often used in mining industries. It is used for manufacturing elevator, rock crushers, cement mixers, crawler treads for tractor and steel buckets. It is also used in rail industry for producing crossings and switches as well as in other known high impact areas. Previously it was used in window bars in the prisons too as it has the capacity to make light work of chewing up hacksaw blades of the escapees. However, recently, it is being used in bulletproof cabinets, safes and anti-drill plates as well.
Does it rust?
While low alloy steels as well as other forms of steels rust in moist environment, an enhancement in the quantity of manganese in the steel works effectively to resist corrosion. This is due to adsorption of manganese ion.
Is mangalloy magnetic?
While the steel has wear and work hardening capabilities, it is highly non-magnetic. And thus it is often used in manufacturing electrical transformer assemblies. It is also used for lifting magnets in the industries.
How would you cut manganese steel?
As said by a renowned Manganese Steel Casting Manufacturer, some of the uses of manganese alloy are restricted by its inability in machining. And thus, it is sometimes known for its zero machinability as well. It can’t be softened by common process of annealing. It gets hardened fast under grinding and cutting tools. It requires special tooling for machining. It can be drilled with carbide or diamond, but with extreme difficulties. It might be forged from yellow heat. But it can crumble while hammered when it is in white hot state. Manganese steel is tougher than common carbon steel while heated. And you can cut it with oxy-acetylene torch. However, laser or plasma cutting is a more preferred option for cutting this steel.
How should you weld manganese steel?
Manganese steel can be well welded. However, you need to keep the heat low and cool the welded steel as soon as feasible so it doesn’t crack. An interpass temperature (preferably below 500 degree Fahrenheit) is good for welding. Owing to the toxic nature of weld fumes, it is absolutely important to protect the workers while welding.
Why manganese is considered as an alloying element?
- It has an active deoxidizing property
- It usually doesn’t separate than other alloying materials
- It enhances the hardenability and tensile strength but it reduces ductility
- It enhances the yield at steel mills by integrating with sulfur present in the steel while reducing iron pyrite formation that often makes the steel prone to tear and crack during rolling process under high temperature.
