Chromium  Metallic Properties

Chromium is a blue- gray metal that can be polished to achieve a high shine. It is extremely lustrous and while it is relatively hard, it is also very brittle. Chromium is a fairly active metal. While it does not react with water, it does react with most acids. It reacts with oxygen at room temperature to form chromium (III) oxide. One of chromium's most important properties is its self passivation. While it is stable in air, chromium will oxidize to form a thin layer that acts as a protective coating to prevent further corrosion.