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About ferro manganese

Types of Ferro Manganese

Manganese metal is essentially extracted from mineral types of ores through a process called pyrometallurgy. Most of these manganese ores contain about 20 to 50% manganese. However, ferro manganese is manufactured from the smaller ore concentrations. It, therefore, means that manganese is a pre-alloying state that will often come in two varieties. These are high carbon ferro manganese and low carbon ferromanganese. They are both discussed below.

High Carbon Ferro Manganese

This is the most popular kind of ferromanganese. It’s usually produced in electric arc furnaces using manganese ore, carbon sources, and iron scrap. At times, coke may also be added in order to provide the necessary heat and reduce the oxygen content. High carbon ferro manganese typically consists of 65 to 75% manganese. Further, it also contains 5 to 15% carbon. Some of its common uses include:

  • Steelmaking: It helps increase the manganese concentrations in steel.
  • Cast Iron Production: It helps improve the mechanical properties of cast iron.
  • Welding Electrodes: Welding electrodes are also produced using high carbon ferro manganese.

Low Carbon Ferro Manganese

It’s produced by refining high carbon ferro manganese through further chemical reduction processes. The reduction agents in this process include hydrogen and other chemical compounds. Low carbon ferro manganese contains 60 to 68% manganese concentrations and less than 0.5% carbon. Sometimes it contains up to 1% carbon depending on the specifications. Low carbon ferro manganese is commonly used in the following ways:

  • Steel Industry

    Low carbon ferro manganese is often used in stainless and structural steel production. This is because it doesn’t have high carbon concentrations. Thus, it’s ideal for preventing steel from becoming too saturated with carbon. This is especially during the re-melting processes.
  • Special Alloys Production Low carbon ferro manganese is often utilized in producing special alloys. These include maraging steel and high-temperature alloys.

Important Features of Ferro Manganese

The features of ferromanganese are largely dependent on the kind of manganese ore used during the extraction or production processes. Below, for example, the features of high carbon ferro manganese are discussed.

High Carbon Ferro Manganese Features

  • Manganese Composition: High carbon ferro manganese contains 60 to 75% manganese. The exact percentage is normally dependent on the kind of ore used.
  • Carbon Content: High carbon ferro manganese contains up to 10% carbon. Although it is produced from high carbon manganese ore. Most producers will commonly retort h the material through high-temperature induction furnaces. This will help eliminate most of the carbon constituents.
  • Iron Content: Ferro manganese usually exists in iron-rich form. High carbon ferro manganese, for instance, has about 5 to 15% iron.
  • Clarity and Appearance: Ferro manganese typically comes in a lustrous silver or metallic color. The high carbon kind often appears dull or rough because it has carbon granules on the surface.
  • Melting Point: The melting point of high carbon ferro manganese is around 1300 to 1600 degrees Celsius.

What are the industrial uses of High carbon Ferro Manganese

  • Increasing Steel Manganese concentrations: High carbon ferro manganese is often used in steel manufacturing. This is especially where manganese is needed in high quantities.
  • Improving Cast Iron Properties: In metal casting, high carbon ferro-manganese is added to augment the mechanical properties of cast iron.
  • Welding Materials: High carbon ferro manganese is often used as an ingredient in some types of welding electrodes.

Industrial Applications of Ferro Manganese

Ferro manganese has two main roles in industrial applications. It’s either a deoxidizing agent or an alloying element in steel production. Ferro manganese suppliers will often provide various kinds of ferro manganese based on the needs of their customers. The following are some of the industrial uses of ferro manganese.

Steelmaking

Both high and low carbon ferro manganese are primarily used in the steel industry. Just how high carbon ferro manganese is used in producing carbon steel, low carbon ferro manganese is used in producing stainless and structural steel. Generally, manganese serves the primary purpose of improving steel’s tensile strength, hardness, and toughness. It also helps increase steel’s resistance to abrasion.

Iron Casting

In iron casting, ferro manganese is usually added to improve the mechanical properties of cast iron. This includes enhancing the tensile strength and hardness of the cast iron. Additionally, manganese helps improve cast iron’s resistance to wear.

Alloy Production

Ferro manganese is used in producing various types of alloys. These include aluminum-manganese alloys and silicones steel. Low carbon ferro manganese, for instance, is especially critical in producing these specialty alloys. The alloying process integrates manganese into the materials. This improves their strength, durability, and corrosion resistance properties.

Welding Electrodes

Ferro manganese serves the purpose of producing certain types of welding electrodes. High carbon ferro manganese is particularly ideal for making these electrodes. It enhances their welding capabilities and properties.

How to Choose Ferro Manganese

The following are some of the key features that people consider when choosing ferro manganese.

Purity

The purity of ferromanganese has a significant impact on its workability. This is especially in steel where it can preclude carbon from producing a porous structure. When measuring the purity of ferro manganese, the percentage of manganese is taken into consideration. High-quality manganese usually has 70% and above manganese concentration.

Carbon Content

When purchasing high carbon ferro manganese, the carbon content is worth considering. This is high carbon ferro manganese tends to have up to 5% carbon. It may not be suitable for some applications. Especially where high carbon concentrations are not needed. Always go for low carbon ferro manganese when high carbon content is not needed.

Size

High carbon ferro manganese usually comes in granules of varying sizes. The sizes may range from fine powder to coarse particles. On the other hand, low carbon ferro manganese is commonly in the form of lumps. Their sizes are usually measured in millimeters. Smaller sizes are ideal for rapid reactivity. Whereas bigger sizes are suitable for prolonged reactivity. It’s therefore important to consider the required reactivity before purchasing any kind of ferro manganese.

Iron Content

Iron is typically an impurity in ferro manganese. It negatively impacts its quality. Unfortunately, measuring the iron content can be relatively difficult. The only way of assessing manganese quality is through purchasing it from reputable manufacturers. Always consider buying ferro manganese from manufacturers that disclose their iron contamination percentage. Generally, the amount of iron should be less than 1%.

Q&A

Q1. What is the difference between high carbon ferro manganese and low carbon ferro manganese?

A1. High carbon ferro manganese contains up to 10% carbon. Just how low carbon ferro manganese is extracted from high carbon ferro manganese. Low carbon ferro manganese contains less than 0.5% carbon. It’s therefore ideal for preventing steel from becoming too saturated with carbon.

Q2. What are the key features of low carbon ferro manganese?

A2. Low carbon ferro manganese is produced by further refining high carbon ferro manganese. It usually consists of 60 to 68% manganese, less than 0.5% carbon, and small percentages of iron impurities. Just like high carbon ferro manganese, low carbon ferro manganese also exists in powder form and lump form.

Q3. What are the industrial uses of ferro manganese?

A3. Ferro manganese is primarily used in steel production. It serves the purpose of improving steel’s strength and abrasion resistance. Mostly, manufacturers prefer using high carbon ferro manganese. This is because it’s more ideal in carbon steel manufacturing. On the other hand, low carbon ferro manganese is utilized in producing high-performance alloys.

Q4. What should be considered when purchasing ferro manganese?

A4. There are two key features that should be considered when buying ferro manganese. These are carbon content and manganese concentration. Carbon content has a significant impact on steel reactivity. Thus, it’s critical to ensure that it doesn’t exceed the required percentage. Manganese concentration, on the other hand, should be increased for better quality.