Guide to High Manganese Steel Castings for Mining Crushers
High manganese steel — Mn13 and Mn18 grades — is the dominant material for impact and compression crushing in mining. Its unique work-hardening behavior makes it irreplaceable for jaw crushers, cone crushers, and impact crushers worldwide.
The Work Hardening Mechanism
As-cast, high manganese steel is relatively soft (~200 HB). Under impact and compression in service, the austenitic surface transforms and hardens to 450–550 HB. The deeper material stays tough and absorbs energy. This self-protecting behavior is why no other material matches it for high-impact crushing.
Critical rule: Mn13 only work-hardens under impact. In pure sliding abrasion (chute liners, conveyor components), it performs no better than medium carbon steel — use chromium white iron instead.
Grade Selection Guide
| Grade | Mn % | Hardness (as-cast) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mn13 | 11–14% | 170–230 HB | Secondary/tertiary cone & jaw crushers |
| Mn13Cr2 | 11–14% | 170–230 HB | Same as Mn13 + better for abrasive feeds |
| Mn18 | 16–19% | 180–240 HB | Primary jaw crushers, high-impact HSI |
| Mn22 | 20–24% | 190–250 HB | Gyratory crushers, extreme impact |
Heat Treatment: Solution Treatment Is Mandatory
- Austenitize: Heat to 1,050–1,100°C, hold until uniform
- Water quench: Immediately — rapid cooling is critical to retain austenite
- Result: Fully austenitic, tough, machineable structure
Never air-cool or slow-cool — this forms carbides that make the steel brittle and unweldable. Always request heat treatment certificates per lot.
Crusher Part Applications
- Jaw crusher plates: Fixed and moving jaw plates — highest impact loads, use Mn18 or Mn13Cr2
- Cone mantle & concave: Surrounds the cone; Mn13Cr2 is standard for most applications
- HSI blow bars: Thrown rotor blades; highest impact energy, choose Mn18Cr2
- SAG/ball mill liners: Mn18 for primary SAG; Mn13 for ball mills
- Track pads & bucket teeth: Mn13 is typical
Aftermarket vs. OEM Parts from China
China produces aftermarket wear parts matching OEM designs for Sandvik, Metso, Terex, Kleemann, Cedarapids, and others — typically at 40–60% lower cost. Key verification points:
- Request ASTM A128 test reports (tensile ≥ 965 MPa, elongation ≥ 35%)
- Verify Mn content via spectral analysis certificate
- Request sample parts before full order
- Check foundry specialization — dedicated Mn foundries produce better quality than general iron foundries
- Factor in shipping weight — a 20' container holds ~18–22 tons of crusher parts
Common Failure Modes and Solutions
| Failure Mode | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Spalling (pieces breaking off) | Incomplete heat treatment; excessive carbides | Verify HT certificate; choose a specialized foundry |
| Thinning without hardening | Pure sliding abrasion without impact | Switch to chromium white iron or alloy steel |
| Brittle fracture | Slow cooling after casting or weld repair | Request proper HT; follow Mn welding procedures |
| Crushing too fast | Wrong profile or alloy for feed material | Work with supplier on profile optimization |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is high manganese steel?
High manganese steel (Hadfield steel, Mn13/Mn18) contains 11–14% Mn and 1–1.4% C. Its defining feature is work hardening: surface hardness increases from ~200 HB as-cast to 450–550 HB under impact, ideal for crushing equipment.
Mn13 vs Mn18 — which to choose?
Mn13 is for secondary/tertiary crushers. Mn18 has higher impact resistance — choose for primary jaw crushers and high-energy impact crushing (HSI).
Why does my Mn13 part fail prematurely?
Usually wrong material for the wear mechanism (Mn13 fails in pure sliding abrasion), inadequate heat treatment, or the part never work-hardened in service.
Can I get aftermarket crusher parts from China?
Yes — at 40–60% lower cost than OEM. Verify the foundry's Mn casting experience, request ASTM A128 test reports, and check a sample before full orders.
Need Mining Crusher Wear Parts from China?
Upload your part drawings, OEM part number, or crusher model. Our team will match to available patterns or produce custom Mn13/Mn18 parts with full heat treatment certification.
Get Crusher Parts Quote →