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What is the definition of chromium?

A shiny, hard, steel-gray metal used in ferrous alloys to add hardness and wear resistance to steel. Stainless steels contain large amounts of chromium.
Learn more about chromium in the class "Metal Classification 150" below.

Metal Classification 150

Materials Training

Class Information

Tooling U classes are offered at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The typical class consists of 12 to 25 lessons and typically requires at least two hours of instruction time.

Class Name:	Metal Classification 150
Description:	This class introduces the AISI-SAE classification for steels.
Prerequisites:	none
Difficulty:	Beginner
Number of Lessons:	13

Class Outline
Objectives The Importance of Steel Why Are Metals Classified? Key Variables Key Organizations What Is Carbon Steel? Types of Carbon Steel Classification of Plain Carbon Steel Classifying Alloy Steels Other Types of Steel Classification of Nonferrous Metals Classification Issues Summary

Class Objectives

Describe the importance of metal classification.
Explain why metals are classified.
Identify the variables that determine the properties of a metal.
Describe steel classification systems.
Describe the function of carbon in steel.
Identify the major categories of carbon steel.
Describe the classification of plain carbon steel.
Identify alloy steels using the AISI-SAE system.
Describe the classification of stainless and tool steels.
Describe the classification of nonferrous metals.
Describe common metal classification issues.

Class Vocabulary
AISI-SAE designation		The most common classification in the United States for plain carbon steels and alloy steels.
alloy steel		A steel containing another material that is added intentionally to improve certain properties of the metal.
alloying element		An element that is intentionally added to a metal in order to change its properties.
aluminum		A silvery white metal that is soft, light, and has a high strength-to-weight ratio.
chemical composition		The combination of materials at the atomic level.
chromium		A shiny, hard, steel-gray metal used in ferrous alloys to add hardness and wear resistance to steel. Stainless steels contain large amounts of chromium.
copper		A reddish metal that is very ductile, thermally and electrically conductive, and corrosive resistant. Copper is often used to make electrical wire.
corrosion resistance		A material's ability to resist deterioration caused by exposure to an environment.
ductility		A metal's ability to be drawn, stretched, or formed without breaking.
electric arc furnace		A type of furnace used during the steelmaking process that shoots electric arcs between electrodes to burn a combination of pig iron and other materials to produce steel.
grade		A numerical name that describes the contents of a metal alloy.
hardenability		A metal's ability to be hardened by normal heat treatment processes.
hardness		A metal's ability to resist penetration, indentation, or scratching.
heat treatment		The heating and cooling processes used to change the structure of a metal and alter its mechanical properties.
high-carbon steel		A carbon steel that contains more than 0.5% carbon.
impurities		An unwanted substance that reduces the quality of a material.
low-carbon steel		A carbon steel that contains less than 0.3% carbon.
medium-carbon steel		A carbon steel that contains between 0.3 and 0.5% carbon.
nonferrous metal		A metal that does not intentionally contain iron.
plain carbon steel		The basic type of steel, which contains less than 3% of elements other than iron and carbon.
stainless steel		A type of steel that contains more than 15% chromium and exhibits excellent corrosion resistance.
steel		A metal consisting of iron and carbon, usually with small amounts of manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon as well.
tool steel		A type of steel designed with high wear resistance, toughness, and strength.
Unified Numbering System		A common classification system that is used for both ferrous and nonferrous metals.