Manganese is a chemical element with the symbol Mn and atomic number 25. It is a silvery-grey metal that is widely used in various industrial and commercial applications.
Sources of manganese:
Manganese is primarily found in minerals such as pyrolusite, manganite, and rhodochrosite.
It is also found in smaller amounts in other minerals, such as spessartine, bixbyite, and hausmannite.
Production of manganese:
Manganese is extracted from its ores through a series of processes, including mining, crushing, and benefication.
The manganese-bearing ore is then roasted or smelted to produce manganese dioxide, which is then further processed to produce pure manganese metal.
Properties of manganese:
Manganese is a dense, silvery-grey metal with a melting point of 1,244°C and a boiling point of 2,061°C.
It is a relatively soft metal that is highly reactive, and must be stored in a protective atmosphere to prevent oxidation.
Manganese is a good conductor of heat and electricity, and has a low thermal expansion coefficient.
Uses of manganese:
Manganese is widely used in the production of steel alloys, where it improves the strength and hardness of the steel.
It is also used in the production of aluminum alloys, where it improves the strength and resistance to corrosion.
Manganese is used in the production of dry-cell batteries, where it acts as a depolarizing agent.
It is also used as a component in a variety of industrial and commercial products, including fertilizers, animal feed, and ceramics.
Manganese is used in the production of pigments and as a decolourising agent in the glass industry.
It is also used in the production of manganese compounds, which are used as catalysts, oxidizing agents, and in the electronics industry.