Chrome and chromium sound like they should be closely related, and it is true. Chromium is the original element, and chrome is the form of the element used as a surface treatment in various industrial and consumer products. They are, however, different substances that are used in different ways.
What is chromium?
Chromium is a chemical element that takes its name from the Greek word “chroma”, meaning colour. In the periodic table, it has the atomic number 24 and is represented by the abbreviation Cr. A transition metal, it appears silvery grey in its natural state. Chromium is valued for its hardness, surpassed only by the elements carbon and boron, its corrosion resistance, and its shiny, almost mirror-like surface. It can be combined with iron to make non-rusting stainless steel.
What is chrome?
Other than in the production of stainless steel, the main use of chromium is in chrome plating, as seen at www.poeton.co.uk/advanced-treatments/apticote-100-hard-chrome-plating/. Chrome is the name for the thin layer of chromium produced through this process, which involves attaching chrome to a surface using an electric current, sometimes with the aid of chemicals. The chrome is used to alter or enhance the properties of the substate. This may be for industrial purposes by greatly improving strength, durability and corrosion resistance, or it may be aesthetic, as chrome is smooth and shiny in appearance.
This explains why chrome and chromium are treated as two different things, even though they originate in the same place. You can use this knowledge to help inform your use of chrome-plated objects.