The ubiquity of chrome plating on plastic parts of every sort has infused an undeserved reputation for cheapness to this metal. This is because the chemical application of a thin coating of chromium is an effective way to prevent corrosion at the same time it provides a super-shiny surface.

Pure chromium metal on the other hand is an altogether different beast. It is exceptionally hard - perhaps the hardest of all pure metals - but it is also brittle making it unsuitable to make solid parts from. On the other hand it is so resistant to corrosion that injecting 10-20% into a blob of molten iron gives birth to "stainless steel". It's there literally under your nose every time you eat!

10mm cube weight is 7.4±0.1g and 25.4mm weight is 121±2g.