ferrochrome properties

Ferro chrome is an alloy of chromium and iron, which also contains carbon, silicon and a small amount of other elements. Ferrochrome is divided into high-carbon ferro chrome, medium carbon ferro chrome and low-carbon ferro chrome according to their carbon content. If the ferro chrome contains certain enough silicon, it will also be called as ferrochrome silicon alloy. If it contains little iron and other elements, while the other element are mainly chrome, then it will be called Chromium metal. While it contains a certain amount of nitrogen, it will be known as nitrided ferrochrome.

ferrochrome properties

Before we know ferrochrome properties, let’s make a glance at its basic element. Chromium, sometimes short for Cr or Chrome, is a metal with metallic lustre , it is pretty hard, refractory metal which melting point at 1,857 degree centigrade, and boiling point at 2,672 degree centigrade. In nature chromium acts with oxygen and became 3 types of oxide: CrO, Cr2O3 and CrO3. But chromium metal is resistant to ordinary corrosion, resulting in its application as an electroplated protective coating for other metals. It dissolves in nonoxidizing mineral acids but not in aqua regia or nitric acid, which passivate the metal.  Chromium and chromium-rich alloys are brittle in normal temperature, they have limited application. By far the largest consumption is as an alloying additives in steel industry. In metallurgical industry ferro chrome is a very usual raw materials. Chromium is often mixed into steel to make both hard and corrosion-resistant alloys. It is mainly used to make stainless steel, heat-resistant steel and various electric heating element materials. When stainless steel encounters corrosive substances, a fine and solid chromium oxide film will be formed on its surface to protect the metal inside from further corrosion. Some stainless steels can maintain their excellent performance even at high temperatures of 800 degree centigrade performance.

Chrome steel is a good material for manufacturing machinery, tanks and armored vehicles. The metallurgy industry consumes 95% of total output of chrome metal. The rest were for chemical, refractories, pigments, coating and other industries.