Manganese steel - also known as hard manganese steel or manganese hard steel – in its quenched state has the characteristic of significantly increasing its original low tensile strength and hardness in the cold-worked layer by intense cold working without this having an adverse effect on the originally very high durability. The cold working performed increases the wear-resistance enormously. It can be bent, flanged and pierced because of its high durability. Chipping at room temperature with hard metal tools is only possible to a limited extent.

Typical manganese steel products are, for example, hangers in blasting machines, crusher jaws, crusher jaw inserts, power shovel bolts, power shovel connectors, gripping teeth, striking elements in impact mills and centrifugal mills. It is also used in security systems (protective grills, doors, cladding, safety plates). It is used generally for intense percussion and impact stresses.

Manganese steel can be welded both electrically and autogenously. Electrical welding is, however, preferred because with autogenous welding procedures, burn-off of manganese and carbon may easily occur. Shielded electrodes at 0.8% - 1.0% C and 15 - 18% Mn must be used for electric welding. The wear resistance is somewhat lower at the weld seam than with the remaining material.