Manganese is an element on the periodic table that is a silvery white, hard, brittle metal. It is naturally found in a variety of minerals in combination with iron. Manganese is classified as a transition metal and is solid at room temperature.

Manganese steel is an alloy of the element manganese (Mn), iron, and/or carbon steel. Due its hardening ability and resistance to high wear, manganese steel is often used on equipment in the mining and forging industries.