Chromite (Chromium Ore)

Chromite is a dark brown or gray to black color high specific gravity mineral with a metallic to submetallic luster. It is composed of chromium, iron, and oxygen (FeCr₂O₄); the hardness of Chromite is 5.5 Mohs, the density is 4.3 g/cm³, the melting point about 1,535°C. Chromite has not only a low thermal expansion rate but also offers a good thermal shock resistance.

Chromite is used as a functional filler and mild abrasive in the friction materials industry. Due to its properties, it is one of the most efficient friction performance modifiers for increasing the friction coefficient, both at low and high temperatures.  

Chromite is also important because it is the only economic ore of chromium, an essential element for a wide variety of metal, chemical, and composite products. Many other minerals contain chromium, but none of them are found in deposits that can be economically mined to produce chromium.