What Is Electrolytic Manganese

Electrolytic manganese is a pure form of the metallic element manganese, Mn. It is termed "electrolytic" because a major step in the refining process involves electrolysis, a chemical reaction driven by an electric current. Less pure forms, such as ferromanganese and silicomanganese, are derived by more economical methods. The pure metal is primarily used as an alloy in the production of stainless steel and aluminum. Electrolytic manganese is also used extensively as an element in lithium-ion batteries designed for electric vehicles.

The initial stages of manganese processing involve heating the ore and using chemical treatments to remove the majority of impurities. Electrolysis is then used to further refine the metal. A solution of the material is placed in an electrolytic cell and a direct electrical current is passed through. The direct current induces a chemical reaction that separates the manganese from naturally occurring contaminants.