What Is The Difference Between Chrome And Ferrochrome?

Chrome and ferrochrome are two types of frequently traded products. Although their names are similar and they originate from the same raw materials, they have fundamental differences in composition, properties, and uses.
Chrome is a single metallic element with the chemical symbol Cr, atomic number 24. It is a transition metal, a pure metal extracted from chromite ore through multiple purification processes. It contains little to no impurities, has a silvery-gray appearance with a metallic luster, and is hard and brittle.
Ferrochrome is an alloy of chromium and iron, not a pure metal, and is a core ferroalloy product in the metallurgical industry. Its main raw materials are chromite ore, iron ore (or scrap iron), and coke, which are smelted at high temperatures in a submerged arc furnace.
The chromium content of ferrochrome is generally between 50% and 70%, with the remaining components mainly iron, along with impurities such as carbon, silicon, phosphorus, and sulfur. Based on the carbon content, ferrochrome can be further classified into high-carbon ferrochrome, medium-carbon ferrochrome, and low-carbon ferrochrome.