Chromium

What is chromium?
Chromium is the 24th element in the periodic table. Discovered by Louis Vanquelin in 1797, chromium is a beautiful steel-gray metal that takes a high polish. It is a very hard metal, and therefore highly resistant to corrosion. Chromium has a very high melting point of 1857+/-20 degrees Celsius, a stable crystalline structure, and a moderate thermal expansion.

Chromium was named after the Greek word "chroma", meaning "color", due to the fact that chromium compounds are always very colorful. However, as pretty as the compounds can be, they are very dangerous because they are toxic.

Where is it found?

Chromium Compounds

The main ore of chromium is chromite. The chromium metal can be produced by reducing the chromite's oxide with aluminum. About two-fifths of the chromite ores and concentrates in the world are produced in South Africa, but Kazakhstan, India, Russia, and Turkey are also very big producers of the metal. Untapped chromite deposits are plentiful, but geographically concentrated in Kazakhstan and southern Africa.

What is it used for?
Chromium has many uses, including:

• Hardening steel
• Component of stainless steel
• Plating that is shiny and resistant to corrosion
• Catalyst
• Addition to glass to produce an emerald green color
• Important in pigments, mordants, and oxidizing agents.