Manganese is an essential element in the steel industry. It significantly improves the physical properties of steel. Most global manganese goes directly into steel production.
Typically, manufacturers add it as a ferromanganese alloy. This includes high-carbon, medium-carbon, and low-carbon grades.
1. The Role of a Ferromanganese Alloy in Steelmaking
This valuable alloy enhances steel strength, hardness, and toughness. It also reduces hot shortness caused by sulfur impurities.
Standard carbon steels contain 0.3% to 1.5% manganese. Construction rebar requires 1.0% to 1.5% manganese.
2. Sourcing Costs: Refined Alloys vs. Raw Ore
Adding manganese represents a major cost in steelmaking. Normally, adding 1% manganese costs 120 yuan per ton.
However, raw manganese ore is much cheaper than refined alloys. Here is the typical cost comparison:
-
Silicomanganese (around 64% Manganese): Priced around 8,000 yuan per ton.
-
High-Carbon Ferromanganese (around 64% Manganese): Priced around 7,000 yuan per ton.
-
Raw Manganese Ore (around 50% Manganese): Priced around only 1,500 yuan per ton.
Using raw ore could cut alloying costs by 70%.
3. Traditional Sourcing and Sizing Methods
Traditional steel plants cool their hot manganese alloys first. Then, they transport and add them to molten steel.
This cooling process wastes significant thermal energy. It also increases your overall material handling costs.
4. The Problem of Direct Manganese Ore Smelting
Adding raw ore directly into the converter is inefficient. Most manganese enters the slag as manganese oxide.
As a result, the recovery rate is only 10% to 30%. Some newer smelting methods only reach 37% recovery. This low recovery rate remains a major industrial problem.
Conclusion: Optimize Your Steel Sourcing with LSFerroalloy
LSFerroalloy provides premium alloying solutions for steel plants. We supply high-purity carbon and manganese alloys globally. Our products ensure maximum recovery rates and lower costs.
Contact our export managers at info@lsalloy.com today.