Manganese Carbonate (MnCO3) is a naturally-occurring mineral found in a variety of geological formations, including sedimentary rocks, formed by the actions of running water, groundwater, or atmospheric deposition. It’s a light grey-black powder, and is odourless. It has a low solubility in water, but is soluble in acids and alkalis.
Manganese Carbonate is a vital component of fertilizers, battery cathodes, catalysts, and oxygen scavengers. It is also used to reduce electric arc steel casting. This mineral is also used in optical glass, in electric welding torches, and in producing glass-ceramic materials. It is often added to certain glazes and ceramics in order to produce varied colours.
One of the finest sources of Manganese Carbonate, is the crushers. Crushing of the mineral produces fine particles that are highly suitable for use in a variety of applications. This is due to its extremely high MnCO3 content and excellent uniformity.
Manganese Carbonate is also used worldwide in glass, crystal and ceramic applications to create intense colours, shades, and shadows. In glass this inclusions extend from red to yellow-green. In semiprecious and precious gemstones, Manganese Carbonate can produce yellow and black bands which are often preferred to the appearance of inclusions and bubbles in glass. An even distribution of particles throughout the glass is key to achieving a uniform colour.
Due to the chemical makeup of Manganese Carbonate, it is often used as a flux in metallurgic and ceramic processes. In metallurgic processes, the MnCO3 is added to ores to form different oxides, which permits easier separation and chemical treatment of the ore. When ground, the MnCO3 powder is used as the body source in many ceramic products, and produces a red colour when fired in higher temperatures.
Manganese Carbonate can also be used in many products such as batteries, nickel-cadmium, as a colouring agent for enamels, as a non-toxic flame retardant for plastics, and for other protective coatings. It is sometimes used to create an acid or alkaline environment in soils by pH balancing, and can assist in reducing soil erosion.
Manganese Carbonate is most commonly used to produce fertilizers. Its uses range from accelerating the growth of plants and crops, to providing extra nutrients and micronutrients to fighting soil erosion. The mineral salts act as chelates, or an organic compound in which a metal ion is surrounded by a complicated set of organic molecules. This facilitates absorption in the plant’s root system and provides effective uniform release.
In summary, Manganese Carbonate is a mineral that has many uses in various industries. Its various applications range from battery cathodes to forming oxides, ceramics, glass, and fertilizer. The mineral’s availability, low cost, and abundance make it a key ingredient in many products. As its advantages become more widely appreciated, more and more people are looking to benefit from its various qualities.
