CHROMITE 



Uses. The only economic source of chromium is the mineral chromite. About 60 per cent of the 

 chiomite used in the United States is reduced to ferrochromium and used metanurgically in steel alloys 

 to enhance strength and resistance to corrosion. About 28 per cent of chromite is used in 

 high-temperature furnace linings, especially in the steel industry. The remaining 1 2 per cent of chromite 

 is used to make dichromate as a basis for dyes, tanning, and chromate plating. 



Present levels of utilization of chromite in thousands of short tons. 



World (1966 production) 1,703 



United States (1966 demand) 452 



Ranges of demand projections in thousands of short tons to the year 2000. 



Low 1,900 2,675 3,525 



High 1,950 2,800 3,825 



Prospective supplies and prices. The world resource base is adequate to the year 2000 and beyond. 

 However, the United States has depended on imported chiomite since about 1880. Even when imports 

 were interrupted by war, the United States was unable to obtain as much as half its needs from domestic 

 deposits, which are small and low grade. World resources are mainly in the eastern hemisphere in 

 countries of varied political stability. 



United States and world prices of chromite are virtually the same when valued in the country of 

 origin. DeUvered price varies with the amount of transportation charges assessed. Typical prices of 

 chromite in the country of origin during 1966 were: metallurgical grade, $21 per ton; refractory grade, 

 $19 per ton; and chemical grade, $13 per ton. As the world resource base is adequate and the United 

 States is completely dependent on imports of chromite, price in the future will depend on political 

 decisions and development of technology in producing countries. 



Possible substitute materials. Although magnesite may be substituted for much of the, refractory grade 

 chromite used in furnace linings, etc., there are no satisfactory substitutes for chromium in the 

 metallurgical and chemical industries. Alloys, plastics, and various composite materials offer a wide range 

 of possible substitutes for chromium-bearing alloys. Aluminum trim can be used to some extent in place 

 of chrome-plated trim. A large scale research effort has been directed toward development of 

 oxidation-resistant coatings for molybdenum, tungsten, and other high-melting-point metals. Future use 

 of chromium-bearing super alloys will undoubtedly be influenced by this research. 



Potential from marine sources. Chromite might occur in two ways in the marine environment: 

 segregated (lode) deposits in ultramafic rock in the continental shelves, or as a constituent of black sands 

 near the mouths of streams that drain onshore areas where ultramafic rocks occur in coastal areas of 



VIM 30 



