Overview

Manganese is a hard, brittle transition metal used primarily to improve strength and wear resistance in steel and alloys.

Properties

It exhibits multiple oxidation states commonly +2 to +7, forms colorful oxides and is an essential trace nutrient in biology.

Occurrence and Uses

Manganese is mined from ores like pyrolusite and used in steelmaking, dry cell batteries, ceramics and as a micronutrient in agriculture.

Isotopes and Safety

Stable isotope Mn 55 predominates; manganese dust and fumes can be neurotoxic with chronic exposure and require occupational controls.