Chromium
For plating for cars.
Atomic Number: 24
Atomic Symbol: Cr
Atomic Weight: 51.996
Electron Configuration:[Ar]4s^1 3d^5History
(Gr. chroma, color) Discovered in 1797 by Vauquelin, who prepared the metal the next year, chromium
is a steel-gray, lustrous, hard metal that takes a high polish.
Sources
The principal ore is chromite, which is found in Zimbabwe, Russia, Transvaal, Turkey, Iran, Albania,
Finland, Democratic Republic of Madagascar, and the Phillippines. The metal is usually produced by
reducing the oxide with aluminum.
Uses
Chromium is used to harden steel, to manufacture stainless steel, and to form many useful alloys. Much
is used in plating to produce a hard, beautiful surface and to prevent corrosion. Chromium gives glass an
emerald green color and is widely used as a catalyst.
The refractory industry has found chromite useful for forming bricks and shapes, as it has a high melting
point, moderate thermal expansion, and stability of crystalline structure.
Compounds
All compounds of chromium are colored; the most important are the chromates of sodium and potassium
and the dichromates and the potassium and ammonium chrome alums. The dichromates are used as
oxidizing agents in quantitative analysis, also in tanning leather.
Other compounds are of industrial value; lead chromate is chrome yellow, a valued pigment. Chromium
compounds are used in the textile industry as mordants, and by the aircraft and other industries for
anodizing aluminum.
Chromium