Chromium – Ranks Among The Most Strategic Of Metals

THERE are strong indications that chromium steel will one day hold the balance of power among all types of steel. Today, it is going to the forefront in military and civilian use. Stainless steel has received a tremendous impetus because of military demands. Chromium plays a primary, and possibly the most significant roll in the manufacture of stainless and other high temperature alloys. By any standard, chromium ranks among the most strategic of metals. Jet planes would still be on the drawing boards instead of flying in MIG Alley. Many of its more recent applications are the closely guarded secrets of the Pentagon and Government laboratories. Chromium has forged far ahead of the days when it merely decorated an automobile or made the American kitchen sparkle. The United States consumed one half of all chromium ores produced in the world during the past 50 years and 55 pct of those produced in the past decade. During those same periods, some 85 pct of world production of crude ores came from mines in the eastern hemisphere. Cuba is the only substantial supplier in the western hemisphere and most of the Cuban ore is suitable for use only in refractories. In presenting the strategic aspects of the chromium situation it will be helpful to give certain technical data as background without going beyond the detail needed for the survey. Use Pattern Ores containing chromium are consumed by the metallurgical, refractory, and chemical industries. In the United States, postwar consumption by these industries has been in the approximate proportions .of 47:37:16, respectively. In two industries, metal¬lurgical and chemical, the ores are first converted to intermediate products. . For metallurgical use, the ores are usually smelted in electric furnaces to ferrochromium, an