Manganese Brass is a high-strength copper–zinc alloy enhanced with manganese and often iron or aluminum to significantly improve mechanical strength, wear resistance, and corrosion performance.
This alloy combines a bright golden appearance with durability and toughness, making it suitable for heavy-duty engineering, marine, and decorative applications where standard brasses are insufficient.
Typical Chemical Composition
| Element | Typical % | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | 55 – 62 | Corrosion resistance, toughness |
| Zinc (Zn) | 35 – 40 | Strength, hardness |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.5 – 4.0 | Grain refinement, wear resistance |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.5 – 2.0 | Strength, fatigue resistance |
| Aluminum (Al) | 0 – 2.0 | Oxidation & corrosion resistance |
| Tin (Sn) | 0 – 1.0 | Marine corrosion resistance |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 0.2 | Machinability |
| Others | Trace | Controlled impurities |
Key Insight: Manganese is the defining alloying element, transforming conventional brass into a high-strength engineering material.
Physical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.2 – 8.5 g/cm³ |
| Melting Range | 870 – 900 °C |
| Electrical Conductivity | 10 – 18% IACS |
| Thermal Conductivity | 90 – 110 W/m·K |
| Thermal Expansion | ~20 µm/m·°C |
| Magnetic Property | Non-magnetic |
| Color | Yellow-gold to bronze-like |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 550 – 800 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 250 – 550 MPa |
| Elongation | 10 – 25% |
| Hardness | 160 – 240 HV |
| Elastic Modulus | ~100 GPa |
| Fatigue Strength | High |
Manganese Brass is significantly stronger than cartridge brass, yellow brass, and Muntz brass, and competes with many bronzes.
Strengthening & Metallurgical Behavior
✔ Predominantly α + β brass microstructure
✔ Mn- and Fe-rich phases provide dispersion strengthening
✔ Solid-solution strengthening from Mn, Fe, and Al
✔ Grain refinement during hot working
✔ Cold work increases strength (limited formability)
✔ Not heat-treatable
Key Characteristics
✔ Very high strength among brasses
✔ Excellent wear and abrasion resistance
✔ Good fatigue and impact resistance
✔ Good marine corrosion resistance
✔ Cost-effective bronze substitute
✔ Non-sparking
✔ Suitable for heavy-section components
Available Forms
Castings
Bars and rods
Plates and forgings
Extrusions
Bushes and sleeves
Applications
Marine propellers, shafts, pump and valve bodies
Gears, worm wheels, and wear plates
Heavy-duty bushings and bearings
Oil, gas, and power industry components
Non-sparking defense and safety parts
Advantages
✔ Much higher strength than standard brasses
✔ Excellent wear resistance
✔ Good corrosion resistance in harsh environments
✔ Economical compared to bronze
✔ Good castability
✔ Long service life
✔ Fully recyclable
Why Choose Manganese Brass?
Choose Manganese Brass when your application demands very high strength, excellent wear resistance, marine or industrial corrosion performance, and bronze-like behavior at a lower cost.
Engineering Insight:
Manganese Brass represents the highest-strength brass family,
ideal where conventional brasses are too weak
and bronze is unnecessarily expensive.
Quick Comparison
| Alloy | Strength | Wear Resistance | Marine Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartridge Brass | Medium | Low | Good |
| Muntz Brass | High | Medium | Good |
| Naval Brass | High | Medium | Excellent |
| Manganese Brass | Very High | High | Very Good |