Manganese is generally used to improve hot ductility. Its effect on the ferrite/austenite balance varies with temperature: at low temperature manganese is an austenite stabilizer, but at high temperatures it will stabilize ferrite. Manganese increases the solubility of nitrogen and is used to obtain high nitrogen contents in duplex and austenitic stainless steels. Manganese, as an austenite former, can also replace some of the nickel in stainless steel.