Is Chrome Magnetic? 7 Facts You Should Know!

Chrome has high resistance to corrosion and found its uses for plating, tanning, paints, machines, etc. Let us see whether chromium is magnetic or not.

Chrome is nonmagnetic because it is anti-ferromagnetic at room temperature, as the magnetic domains of chromium are aligned in the opposite direction. The electronic configuration of Cr is

Ar

3d5 4s1 having unpaired electrons in 3d and 4s orbital but is stable. Above RT, it behaves as paramagnetic.

The anti-ferromagnetic property of chrome increases the resistance of chromium, and thus it is used in various alloys to improve their resistivity. Let us further discuss different magnetic properties and facts behind the magnetic behaviour of chromium and its alloys in this article.

Chromium Magnetic Properties

There are certain properties of chromium that makes it magnetic. Let us discuss these magnetic properties of chromium here below.

  • Anti-ferromagnetism of Crome persists only at room temperature; it behaves as paramagnetic above RT.
  • The magnetic susceptibility of Chromium is high at Neel temperature.
  • Chromium couples with ferromagnets by exchange bias.
  • The magnetization of Chromium is zero in the absence of the B-field.

How can chromium be magnetic?

The metal is magnetic if the unpaired electrons align in a unique direction. Let us see how chromium becomes magnetic.

Chromium can be magnetic in the presence of a magnetic field as some dipoles try to align in the direction of the external field, thus, increasing its magnetic behaviour. Chromium has six unpaired electrons, making it possible to possess magnetic characteristics.

Is chrome steel magnetic?

Chrome steel is made up of chromium, steel and carbon, making the metal hard, brittle and durable. Let us discuss whether chrome steel is magnetic or not.

Chrome steel is non-magnetic even though steel is ferromagnetic because chrome resists the ability of steel to attract the magnet as it forms a layer on the metal surface. Also, the tendency of steel to resist staining and corrosion increases by introducing the chromium layer.

Is chrome plating magnetic?

Chrome plating is a thin layer of chromium on the metal surface that helps to protect the metal from corrosion. Let us discuss whether chrome plating is magnetic or not.

Chrome plating is nonmagnetic because it is composed of chromium only, which does not exhibit magnetic attraction. Being anti-ferromagnetic, it does not show a reaction towards the magnetic field or exhibit a magnetic field. The electrons move freely along the plated surface during conduction.

Is chrome moly steel magnetic?

Chrome moly steel is a molybdenum alloy, also referred to as chromo. Let us discuss whether chrome moly steel is magnetic or not.

Chrome moly steel is not magnetic because, like chromium, molybdenum exhibits anti-ferromagnetic properties. Mo has a stable electronic configuration with five unpaired electrons in the 4d orbital and one in the 5s orbital. It even shows weakly paramagnetic behaviour.

Is chrome vanadium magnetic?

Chrome vanadium is an alloy formed by combining different alloys and is mostly used to make different steel tools. Let us discuss whether chrome vanadium is magnetic or not.

Chrome vanadium is magnetic because it is largely composed of ferromagnetic steel, and vanadium is paramagnetic with three unpaired electrons in a 3d shell. It generates its magnetic field due to the presence of magnetic dipoles. It comprises C, Mg, P, S, Si, and Cr.

Is nickel chrome magnetic?

Nickel chromium is used in wires and heating appliances like toasters, kettles, etc. Let us see whether nickel-chrome is magnetic or not.

Nickel chrome is nonmagnetic because nickel couples with iron by exchange bias, yielding zero magnetization as nickel chrome alloy composes a small iron composition. The unpaired electrons of Ni and Fe form metallic bonds. Thus, nickel chrome shows no attraction in the presence of a magnetic field.

Is hard chrome magnetic?

Hard chrome plating is applied on the metal surface by electroplating. Let us discuss whether hard chrome is magnetic or not.

Hard chrome is not magnetic because the plated chrome does not show any magnetic attraction, even in the magnetic field. Due to the magnetic resistive behaviour of chrome, the hard chrome is used to coat different metallic equipment to prevent corrosion and tanning.

Conclusion

We can conclude from this article that chrome is not magnetic as it is anti-ferromagnetic and shows paramagnetic at above Neel temperature. It has high resistivity due to its anti-ferromagnetic behaviour. It can exhibit magnetic properties by adding magnetic metal and an external magnetic field.

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