Chromium
Real Metals · Uncommon · Modern
The element responsible for the shine of stainless steel and chrome plating, chromium is also what gives rubies their red color and emeralds their green. Its name comes from the Greek word for color, chroma.
Identity
- Symbol
- Cr
- Atomic number
- 24
- Source
- Natural element
- Used in
- Inconel, Stainless Steel
- Aliases
- Cr
Physical Properties
- Appearance
- Brilliant steel-grey, mirror-like when polished, maintains shine indefinitely
- Luster
- Metallic
- Density
- 7.19 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 1907 °C
- Boiling point
- 2671 °C
- Lighter
- Zinc
- Denser
- Cast Iron
- Magnetism
- Non-magnetic
- Electrical conductivity
- Medium
Mechanical Properties
- Mohs hardness
- 8.5
- Tensile strength
- 690 MPa
- Softer
- Starmetal
- Harder
- Darksteel
- Workability
- Difficult
- Brittleness
- Brittle
- Malleability
- Low
- Ductility
- Low
Chemical Properties
- Corrosion resistance
- very high
- Reactivity
- low
Lore & Narrative
Chrome plating became a symbol of modernity and prosperity in the 20th century. The gleaming chrome of American cars in the 1950s was as much a cultural statement as an engineering choice, a mirror finish that said the future was bright.
- Notable uses
- Stainless steel, chrome plating, pigments, leather tanning
- Forge uses
- alloys, plating, pigments
- Worldbuilding traits
- reflective, colorful, modern, corrosion-resistant
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