What Is the Difference Between Chrome and Chromium?

Chrome Element and Compounds

This is decorative chrome on a motorcycle.
This is decorative chrome on a motorcycle. Chrome refers to electroplated chromium over another metal. Chrome may be either hexavalent chromium or trivalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium is extremely toxic. Atoma, Creative Commons License
By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on September 19, 2018

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between chrome and chromium? Chromium is an element. It is a hard, corrosion-resistant transition metal. Chrome, which you may see as decorative trim on cars and motorcycles or to harden tools used for industrial processes, is an electroplated layer of chromium over another metal. Either hexavalent chromium or trivalent chromium may be used to produce chrome. The electroplating chemicals for both processes are toxic and regulated in many countries. Hexavalent chromium is extremely toxic, so trivalent chrome or tri-chrome tends to be more popular for modern applications. In 2007 hexa-chrome was banned for use on automobiles in Europe. Some chrome for industrial uses remains hexa-chrome because the corrosion resistance of hexa-chrome plating tends to exceed that of tri-chrome plating.

Chrome on a motorcycle
Read More
10 Facts About the Element Chromium
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

It's interesting to note that prior to the 1920's the decorating plating on automobiles was nickel and not chrome.

Key Takeaways: Chrome vs Chromium

  • Chrome and chromium are not the same substances, although they are related to each other.
  • Chromium is element number 24 on the periodic table. It is a transition metal.
  • Chrome is the name given to chromium when it is electroplated over another metal. It often contains chromium oxide, which protects the underlying metal from corrosion.
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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "What Is the Difference Between Chrome and Chromium?" ThoughtCo, Aug. 25, 2020, thoughtco.com/chrome-and-chromium-differences-606141. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 25). What Is the Difference Between Chrome and Chromium? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/chrome-and-chromium-differences-606141 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "What Is the Difference Between Chrome and Chromium?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/chrome-and-chromium-differences-606141 (accessed April 16, 2024).