Adding chromium to steel significantly improves its oxidation resistance and increases its corrosion resistance. Chromium is present in many steels with special physicochemical properties. Chromium in steel is added using ferrochrome. High-carbon ferrochrome is used as an alloying agent in ball bearing steel (0.5%–1.45% Cr), tool steel, die steel (5%–12% Cr), and high-speed steel (3.8%–4.4% Cr), improving hardenability, wear resistance, and hardness. Adding chromium to cast iron increases hardness and wear resistance; a chromium content of 0.5%–1.0% can improve its mechanical properties.
High-carbon ferrochrome and furnace charge-grade ferrochrome are widely used as furnace charge in the smelting of stainless steel (AOD or VOD process), reducing production costs. Medium and low-carbon ferrochrome are used in the production of medium and low-carbon structural steel and carburizing steel, and in the manufacture of gears, high-pressure blower blades, valve plates, etc. Low-carbon ferrochrome is used in the production of stainless steel, acid-resistant steel, heat-resistant steel, and electrothermal alloys.
