What Is Chromium Oxide?
Chromium oxide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula CrO3, also known as chromium(VI) oxide.
It is a dark red to orange-brown solid with a molecular weight of 99.99. It is obtained by reacting sodium chromate or sodium dichromate with sulfuric acid.
Millions of kilograms are produced industrially each year by this process. Chromium(VI) oxide is highly toxic, corrosive, and carcinogenic, and chromium, a constituent atom of chromium(IV) oxide, is hexavalent chromium, a substance known to cause environmental damage.
Uses of Chromium Oxide
Chromium oxide is mainly used as industrial raw material for chrome plating.
It is often used to react with cadmium, zinc, and other metals to form corrosion-resistant protective coatings of chromium.
Chromium oxide is also characterized by its transmission wavelength range in the infrared region and is used as an optical material in absorption coatings and electrochromic applications.
It is known that optical properties (refractive index and transmittance) are strongly affected by substrate temperature.
However, the film quality of chromium oxide is tough and is also used to provide corrosion resistance, anti-oxidation, abrasion resistance, and adhesion.