Chromium Trichloride CAS 10025-73-7

What Chromium Trichloride Is

Chromium trichloride is the chloride salt of trivalent chromium, and the product on the market is almost always the hexahydrate: deep green crystals or a dark green concentrated solution that dissolve readily in water. The solid is strongly hygroscopic and needs sealed storage. One point worth stating plainly: the chromium here is stable Cr³⁺, the low-toxicity form used in tanning and plating, and not hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺), which is a toxic oxidizer.

Chloride vs Sulfate Chromium Salts

Chromium trichloride and chromium(III) sulfate (CAS 10101-53-8) are both un-basified base chromium salts that need stepwise basification before they tan. The difference is the anion. Chloride baths dissolve faster and conduct better, which is why trivalent chromium plating lines usually build on chromium trichloride, while sulfate salts are the usual choice for leather tanning liquor. For a tanning agent that is already basified and ready for the drum, basic chromium sulfate (CAS 39380-78-4) is the direct option.

Main Industrial Uses

• Tanning base salt. Raw material for basic chromium sulfate and for self-basified tanning liquors on pickled pelts.
• Trivalent chromium plating. Main chromium salt in decorative Cr(III) plating and conversion coatings, with far less fume and effluent burden than hexavalent baths.
• Chemical making and catalysis. Precursor for chromium oxides, pigments and organic chromium catalysts.
• Textile mordant and color. Helps acid dyes fix on wool and nylon; adds green tones to glass and ceramic glazes.

Liquid Leather Grade Specifications

Packaging, Storage and Ordering

• Keep solid grades sealed in a cool, dry warehouse so they do not absorb moisture and cake. Liquid grades stay in corrosion-resistant drums or IBCs, away from strong alkalis and oxidizers, and must not freeze.
• Both forms are corrosive to skin, eyes and airways, so wear gloves, goggles and protective clothing. Contact with strong bases precipitates chromium hydroxide. Liquid grades ship as corrosive goods with full documents.
• Packaging: 25 kg PP woven bags with PE liners (solid), 200 kg drums and 1000 kg IBCs (liquid). COA, TDS and SDS come with every order, samples are available, and quotes go out within one working day. Related chromium salts: Chromium(III) Sulfate CAS 10101-53-8 and Basic Chromium Sulfate CAS 39380-78-4.

FAQ

Q: Is chromium trichloride the same as hexavalent chromium?

A: No. It holds stable, low-toxicity Cr³⁺; Cr⁶⁺ is a different, toxic oxidizer.

Q: Can it go straight into the tanning drum?

A: It needs stepwise basifying first; basic chromium sulfate is the ready-to-drum option.

Q: Chloride or sulfate chromium salt for plating?

A: Chloride is the usual pick for Cr(III) plating baths; sulfate suits tanning liquor.