While all steels and low-alloy steels rust in moist atmospheres, an increase in manganese in steel has a positive effect on corrosion resistance, partly due to the adsorption of manganese ions. Nowadays the steel is often used in safes, bullet proof cabinets and anti-drill plates. Up until recently manganese steel was used in the window bars in prisons as it makes light work of chewing up the hacksaw blades of potential escapees. Renowned for its high impact strength and resistance to abrasion in its hardened state, the steel is often described as the ultimate work hardening steel.īecause of its self hardening properties, manganese steel has been used in the mining industry for many years – cement mixers, rock crushers, crawler treads for tractors, elevator and shovel buckets – as well as in the rail industry (switches and crossings) and other high impact environments. Manganese steel, also called Hadfield steel or mangalloy, is a steel alloy containing 12-14% manganese. Manganese Steel – 6 Things You Need to Know
