99-99.95% Cr powder, electrolytic low-oxygen grade for PVD targets, sized cuts for CuCr vacuum interrupter contacts and PM additions. Argon-packed, certified per lot.
QUICK ANSWER
Chromium metal powder (99-99.95% Cr) serves sputtering target production for decorative and functional PVD coatings, aluminothermic and electrolytic metallurgy, superalloy and stainless additions, and sintered chromium-copper electrical contacts. Its combination of hardness, corrosion film formation, and sputtering behavior makes it a specialty staple with steady multi-industry demand.
Chromium's powder market splits cleanly: PVD target makers press and sinter (or plasma spray) chromium powder into targets that deposit chrome coatings on everything from faucets to automotive trim to cutting tools; metallurgical buyers add chromium powder to melts and powder-metallurgy premixes where precise Cr dosing matters; and the electrical industry sinters CuCr contact materials for vacuum interrupters — the switching heart of medium-voltage power grids. Electrolytic flake-milled and aluminothermic grades serve different purity-price points, and buyers specify oxygen content carefully since chromium powder oxidizes readily.
MATERIAL DATA
Lot-level controls focus on the chemistry, particle characteristics, and process values that influence manufacturing consistency and finished-part performance.
| Element | Content | Performance Role |
|---|---|---|
| Chromium (Cr) | 99.0-99.95 wt% | Base metal — grade set by production route |
| Oxygen (O) | 0.1-0.8 wt% (grade dependent) | Key spec — lower for targets and sintering |
| Iron (Fe) | < 0.3 wt% | Impurity control for corrosion and sputtering |
| Aluminum (Al) | < 0.2 wt% | Aluminothermic route residue |
| Silicon + others | < 0.2 wt% combined | Purity panel per target industry standards |
Final limits can be aligned with the agreed purchase specification.
APPLICATIONS
PVD coating is the largest single stream: chromium sputtering targets deposit decorative chrome on sanitary fittings, automotive trim, and consumer electronics, and functional Cr/CrN layers on tools and components. Target manufacturers press-sinter or plasma-spray chromium powder — buying on purity (sputtered film quality tracks target purity), oxygen content, and powder sinterability. The decorative coating market follows construction and automotive cycles; the functional tool-coating market grows steadily with machining volumes.
Electrical contacts and metallurgy form the industrial stream: CuCr25-CuCr50 vacuum interrupter contacts switch medium-voltage power distribution — every grid substation and industrial switchgear lineup contains them, and the contacts sinter from chromium-copper powder blends where chromium particle size controls arc erosion resistance. Metallurgical additions use chromium powder for precise dosing in superalloys, stainless PM parts, and diamond tool matrices, where its carbide-forming and corrosion functions justify powder-form precision.
REFRACTORY & RARE METAL POWDERS
CUSTOM SUPPLY
We supply chromium powder in electrolytic (99.5-99.95%, low oxygen) and aluminothermic (99%) grades, mesh and micron cuts, packed under argon for oxidation protection. Target-grade low-oxygen lots, CuCr contact-grade sized powder, and custom distributions are available with full certified chemistry. Not export-controlled.
We supply chromium powder in electrolytic (99.5-99.95%, low oxygen) and aluminothermic (99%) grades, mesh and micron cuts, packed under argon for oxidation protection.
Target-grade low-oxygen lots, CuCr contact-grade sized powder, and custom distributions are available with full certified chemistry.
MATERIAL COMPARISON
| Comparison Point | This Product | Aluminothermic Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | 99.5-99.95% | 99.0-99.5% |
| Oxygen content | Lower — 0.1-0.3% | Higher — 0.3-0.8% |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
| Sputtering target use | Preferred — film purity | Budget targets |
| Metallurgical use | Premium additions | Standard additions |
| Best use | Targets, contacts, critical PM | Cost-driven metallurgy |
TECHNICAL FAQ
Need a different chemistry, particle range, or processing route? Our material team can review the requirement and supply window.
Below 0.3% for quality decorative targets, below 0.15% for demanding functional films — oxygen in the target becomes oxygen in the film. Our electrolytic target grade certifies O per lot.
Vacuum or argon-flushed sealed containers; opened material should be used promptly or stored under inert gas. Surface oxidation beyond spec changes sintering and sputtering behavior.
Yes — contact-grade cuts (typically -200 mesh with controlled fines) matched to infiltration or press-sinter contact processes. Chromium particle size directly sets arc-erosion performance.
Yes — the same target-grade chromium sputters in nitrogen atmosphere to deposit CrN. Purity and oxygen specs are identical; we supply target makers for both Cr and CrN processes.
No. Chromium metal powder ships without licensing requirements.
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