Spherical Chromium Powder for Additive Manufacturing — High Purity Cr Metal Powder
Spherical Chromium (Cr) Powder is widely used in laser/electron beam additive manufacturing, metal injection molding, powder metallurgy, and laser cladding. Princeton Powder is a major manufacturer of high-purity Spherical and Irregular Shape Chromium (Cr) Powder. Low oxygen level Chromium (Cr) Powder in microns and nano size can be customized according to customer’s request. Chromium (Cr) Metal Powder is for sale at a competitive price.
Formula | Chromium, Cr |
CAS Number | 7440-47-3 |
Purity | 99.9% min |
Synonyms | Chromium Spherical Powder, Chromium Nano Particles, Chromium Micron Powder |
Particle Sizes | 15-45μm, 15-53μm, or be customized |
Shape | Spherical or irregular |
Melting Point | 1857 °C |
Apparent Density | >4.2 g/cm3 |
Density | 7.19 g/cm 3 |
Product Overview
Spherical Chromium (Cr) Powder is a high-purity (99.9% min) metal powder engineered specifically for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), electron beam melting (EBM), and directed energy deposition (DED) additive manufacturing processes. Princeton Powder supplies spherical chromium powder (CAS 7440-47-3) produced via advanced gas atomization, ensuring excellent flowability, high apparent density, and consistent particle size distribution — critical parameters for reliable AM powder spreading and melt pool stability.
With a density of 7.19 g/cm³ and melting point of 1,907°C, chromium delivers outstanding corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and high hardness in as-printed components. Our Cr metal powder is available in standard particle size ranges (15-45 μm, 45-106 μm) and custom cuts for specific AM systems. Low oxygen content (<500 ppm) ensures minimal oxide inclusion and superior mechanical properties in finished parts. Bulk supply available — request a quote for your specifications.
Technical Specifications
Manufacturing method of Chromium Metal Powder
Electrolytic Process: In this method, chromium is deposited as a powder through an electrolytic reaction involving chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) in an electrolytic cell. This produces high-purity chromium powder, which is then dried and milled to the desired particle size.
Atomization Process: Chromium is melted in a high-temperature furnace, and then the molten metal is atomized by high-pressure inert gas or water jets to form fine chromium powder particles. This method allows control over particle size and shape, often resulting in spherical particles.
Hydrogen Reduction of Chromium Oxide: Chromium oxide is reacted with hydrogen gas at high temperatures, reducing the oxide to metallic chromium powder. This method is often used for producing high-purity chromium powder suitable for critical applications.
Mechanical Milling: Bulk chromium metal is ground down in a high-energy ball mill to create fine powder particles. This method can produce ultra-fine particles but is generally less efficient for large-scale production.
Main properties of Chromium Powder
Chemical Composition
Common Challenges in Chromium Additive Manufacturing — and How Our Powder Solves Them
Challenge 1: Poor Powder Flowability Causing Inconsistent Layer Deposition
Irregular chromium powder particles interlock and resist flow, causing uneven powder spreading and layer defects in LPBF processes. Princeton Powder's gas-atomized spherical chromium powder achieves Hall flow rates below 20 s/50g, ensuring consistent, defect-free powder bed formation layer after layer.
Challenge 2: Oxide Inclusions Compromising Part Mechanical Properties
High oxygen content in chromium powder leads to Cr₂O₃ inclusions in as-printed parts, reducing ductility and fatigue life. Our low-oxygen chromium powder (<500 ppm O) minimizes oxide formation, producing AM components with mechanical properties approaching wrought chromium.
Challenge 3: Inconsistent Particle Size Distribution Causing Process Variability
Wide or bimodal PSD produces unpredictable melting behavior and inconsistent part density. Princeton Powder supplies tightly controlled particle size distributions verified by laser diffraction — every lot includes a PSD report so you can validate against your AM system parameters before production.
Bottom line: Princeton Powder's spherical chromium powder combines high sphericity, controlled PSD, low oxygen, and full material traceability — engineered for reliable, repeatable AM production.
Chromium Powder Grade Selection Guide
| Grade | Particle Size | Best For | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM Fine (15-45 μm) | 15-45 μm (D10-D90) | LPBF / SLM additive manufacturing | Optimal layer thickness (30-60 μm), excellent flowability |
| AM Coarse (45-106 μm) | 45-106 μm (D10-D90) | EBM, DED, laser cladding | Higher deposition rates, reduced powder cost per kg |
| MIM Grade (<15 μm) | D90 < 15 μm | Metal injection molding | High sintered density, fine feature resolution |
| Thermal Spray (45-106 μm) | 45-106 μm | HVOF, plasma spray, laser cladding | Consistent feed rates, dense coating deposition |
Application of Chromium Powder
Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)
Spherical chromium powder is the feedstock material for manufacturing complex chromium and chromium-alloy components via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and electron beam melting (EBM). The spherical morphology ensures consistent powder flow and uniform layer deposition, while high purity minimizes defects in as-printed parts. Applications include corrosion-resistant impellers, chemical processing equipment, and high-temperature tooling components.
Metal Injection Molding (MIM)
Fine chromium powder (<15 μm) serves as the raw material for metal injection molding of small, complex chromium components. The high sintered density achievable with spherical chromium powder results in near-wrought mechanical properties. Common MIM applications: medical instrument components, watch cases, and precision automotive sensors.
Laser Cladding & Thermal Spray
Chromium metal powder (45-106 μm) is widely used in laser cladding and HVOF thermal spray for depositing wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant coatings on industrial components. Chromium-rich coatings extend service life in chemical processing equipment, hydraulic cylinders, and marine hardware exposed to aggressive environments.
Powder Metallurgy (Press & Sinter)
Irregular and spherical chromium powder grades are used in conventional powder metallurgy for producing high-density chromium PM parts. The controlled particle size distribution ensures uniform compaction and consistent sintering behavior, resulting in components with excellent mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy.
Why Choose Princeton Powder for Chromium Powder
- Verified Spherical Morphology: Gas-atomized chromium powder with SEM-verified sphericity >0.92 — ensures consistent flowability (Hall flow rate <20 s/50g) for reliable AM powder spreading.
- Tight Particle Size Control: Standard cuts (15-45 μm, 45-106 μm) and custom distributions available. Laser diffraction PSD analysis provided with every lot.
- Low Oxygen, High Purity: 99.9% min Cr purity with oxygen content controlled below 500 ppm — minimizes oxide inclusions in AM builds.
- Full Material Certification: Every shipment includes Certificate of Analysis (COA) with chemical composition (ICP-OES), particle size distribution (laser diffraction), and SEM morphology imaging.
- ISO 9001:2015 Certified: Quality management system ensures batch-to-batch consistency for production-scale AM operations.
- US-Based Inventory: Domestic stock of standard grades eliminates international lead times. Same-day quotes, fast fulfillment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spherical Chromium Powder
What is spherical chromium powder used for in additive manufacturing?
Spherical chromium powder is used as feedstock for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), electron beam melting (EBM), and directed energy deposition (DED) to produce corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant metal components. The spherical morphology ensures consistent powder flow and uniform layer deposition during the AM build process. Common applications include chemical processing impellers, high-temperature tooling, and medical instrument components.
What particle size ranges are available for chromium AM powder?
Princeton Powder supplies spherical chromium powder in standard particle size ranges of 15-45 μm (optimal for LPBF), 45-106 μm (optimal for EBM and laser cladding), and custom cuts upon request. Fine chromium powder (<15 μm) is also available for metal injection molding (MIM) applications. Each lot includes laser diffraction particle size distribution (PSD) analysis.
What purity levels are available for chromium metal powder?
Standard purity is 99.9% (3N) minimum for spherical chromium powder. Higher purities (99.95% / 3N5) are available on request for demanding applications. Oxygen content is controlled below 500 ppm to minimize oxide inclusion formation during melting. Full chemical composition analysis (ICP-OES) is provided with every COA.
Why is spherical morphology important for chromium AM powder?
Spherical chromium powder particles flow more consistently than irregular particles, which is critical for uniform powder spreading in LPBF systems. Spherical morphology also results in higher apparent density and tap density, improving powder bed packing and ultimately leading to higher-density as-printed parts with fewer defects. Princeton Powder's gas-atomized chromium powder achieves sphericity >0.92.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for chromium powder?
Standard MOQ is 1 kg for stock spherical chromium powder grades and particle size ranges. Custom particle size cuts, non-standard alloy compositions, or ultra-high-purity (99.95%+) specifications may require higher MOQs. Contact our sales team for a same-day quote — we fulfill orders from R&D sample quantities (100 g) to full production volumes (100+ kg).
How is spherical chromium powder packaged and shipped?
Spherical chromium powder is packaged in vacuum-sealed, moisture-resistant containers with desiccant and argon backfill to prevent oxidation during storage and transit. Each shipment includes full documentation: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin, and material COA with chemical composition and PSD data. We ship globally via DHL, FedEx, and freight forwarders with standard handling time of 3-7 business days.
Chromium Powder Scholar Articles
Toward optimisation of electrolytic reduction of solid chromium oxide to chromium powder in molten chloride salts
Abstract: Electrochemical reduction of solid Cr2O3, in the form of an assembled cathode of porous pellets attached to a current collector, to chromium powder was investigated in molten CaCl2 and a molten equimolar mixture of CaCl2 and NaCl. The study focused on the influence of pellets preparation conditions, cell voltages and temperatures on the reduction process.