Chemical element that increases the hardenability in the steel (as long as the austenization is carried out at sufficient temperature and permanence for the proper dissolution of the carbides).
The generation of chromium carbides increases the hardness, tensile strength, yield strength and toughness of steel.
Chromium is used as an alloying element in tool steels, quenching and tempering, case-hardening, nitriding and stainless steels. Percentages higher than 5% give steel a high resistance to corrosion, reason why it is added in stainless steels in proportions up to 25%.