Manganese (Mn)

A lustrous, steel-gray metal, manganese ([Ar]3d⁵4s²) (CAS 7439-96-5) resembles iron, but is harder and very brittle. In its pure form, it is too brittle to fabricate. Manganese is chemically reactive and decomposes slowly in cold water, more rapidly when heated. While pure manganese metal is ferromagnetic only after special treatment, it forms highly ferromagnetic alloys when combined with aluminum and antimony or copper. In steel, manganese greatly improves strength, wear resistance, hardness, and many other qualities.