Effect of Hydrogen on the X-Ray Parameter and Structure of Electrolytic Manganese

Abstract

The effect of the hydrogen content of electrolytic manganese on the average lattice parameter was determined. The parameter varies approximately linearly with the hydrogen content, the enlargement in parameter being 0.0003 percent per cc of gas per 100 grams of metal. The crystals, composing electrolytic manganese metal, are generally not uniform in parameter but show deviations up to ±0.2 or ±0.3 percent. The deviations in parameter between the unit cells of alpha-manganese in a sample of metal are not proportional to the amount of gas in the metal. The effect of various degassing treatments on the parameter and diffraction patterns was determined. The parameters are not effected unless the metal is heated over 300°C. At 500°C and over, the parameter returns to its normal value and the diffraction lines are sharp. The broadening of the diffraction lines in the patterns for the metal containing gas are attributed to non-uniform lattices in the metal due to non-uniform gas distribution, and the results indicate that manganese may be saturated with hydrogen at about 695 cc per 100 grams of metal or 0.06 percent. Manganese metal with normal lattice parameters and uniform structure may be obtained from electrolytic metal by removing the gas and heating it to 500°C for 1 hour. If the metal is heated to 500°C or more during the degassing treatment, subsequent heating is not necessary.