Nickel vs. Chrome — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 18, 2024
Nickel is a silvery-white metal used in alloys and plating, while chrome, short for chromium, is a shiny, metallic element used for plating to provide corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal.
Difference Between Nickel and Chrome
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Nickel is a ductile, silvery-white metal commonly used in various alloys, such as stainless steel, and for electroplating to provide a hard, corrosion-resistant surface. Nickel plating is often used in industrial applications for its durability and resistance to wear. Chrome, or chromium, is a hard, shiny, bluish-white metal primarily used for electroplating to achieve a mirror-like finish and provide excellent corrosion resistance. Chrome plating is popular in automotive and decorative applications due to its attractive, reflective appearance.
While both nickel and chrome are used for plating, nickel plating offers superior durability and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for industrial and functional applications. In contrast, chrome plating is valued for its bright, reflective finish and is often chosen for decorative purposes. Nickel has a slightly yellowish hue, whereas chrome provides a brighter, more mirror-like finish.
In terms of application, nickel plating is often used for functional components requiring durability, such as tools and machinery parts. Chrome plating, on the other hand, is widely used for aesthetic enhancements in consumer products, including household fixtures and automotive parts.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Silvery-white metal used in alloys and plating
Shiny, metallic element used for plating
Appearance
Silvery-white with a slight yellowish hue
Bright, mirror-like reflective finish
ADVERTISEMENT
Primary Uses
Industrial applications, corrosion resistance, durability
Decorative applications, corrosion resistance, aesthetic appeal
Durability
Highly durable and resistant to wear
Less durable compared to nickel
Common Applications
Hardware, tools, machinery parts
Automotive trim, household fixtures
Compare with Definitions
Nickel
Used in batteries and electronics for its conductive properties.
Nickel-cadmium batteries are common in portable electronics.
Chrome
Known for its excellent corrosion resistance.
Chrome plating protects tools from rust and wear.
Nickel
Applied in various industrial processes due to its resistance to corrosion.
Nickel is used to coat machine parts to prevent rust.
Chrome
Commonly used in decorative applications for its aesthetic appeal.
Chrome trim on motorcycles gives them a sleek look.
Nickel
A silvery-white metal used in alloys.
Nickel is a key component in stainless steel production.
Chrome
Valued in automotive and household products for its bright finish.
The vintage car's chrome details were restored to their original shine.
Nickel
Known for its ductility and ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
Nickel alloys are used in jet engines for their heat resistance.
Chrome
A shiny, bluish-white metallic element used for plating.
The car's bumpers were finished with a layer of chrome.
Nickel
Often used for electroplating to provide a corrosion-resistant surface.
Nickel-plated faucets are popular for their durability.
Chrome
Provides a mirror-like, reflective surface when electroplated.
Chrome-plated bathroom fixtures add a modern touch.
Nickel
Nickel is a chemical element with the symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge.
Chrome
Chromium plate as a decorative or protective finish on motor-vehicle fittings and other objects
A chrome bumper
Nickel
A silvery-white metal, the chemical element of atomic number 28.
Chrome
Chromium or a chromium alloy.
Nickel
A five-cent coin; five cents
A button the size of a nickel
We will see gasoline prices go up about a nickel
Chrome
Something plated with a chromium alloy.
Nickel
Coat with nickel
Heavily nickelled iron castings
Chrome
A pigment containing chromium.
Nickel
Symbol Ni A silvery, hard, ductile, ferromagnetic metallic element used in corrosion-resistant alloys, stainless steel, catalysts for hydrogenation, and batteries, and for electroplating. Atomic number 28; atomic weight 58.69; melting point 1,455°C; boiling point 2,913°C; specific gravity 8.902; valence 0, 1, 2, 3. See Periodic Table.
Chrome
To plate with chromium.
Nickel
A coin of the United States or Canada worth five cents.
Chrome
To tan or dye with a chromium compound.
Nickel
To coat with nickel.
Chrome
Chromium, when used to plate other metals.
Nickel
(uncountable) A silvery elemental metal with an atomic number of 28 and symbol Ni.
Chrome
(graphical user interface) The basic structural elements used in a graphical user interface, such as window frames and scroll bars, as opposed to the content.
Nickel
A coin worth 5 cents.
Chrome
Handguns
Nickel
Five dollars.
Chrome
(transitive) To plate with chrome.
Nickel
Five hundred dollars.
Chrome
(transitive) To treat with a solution of potassium bichromate, as in dyeing.
Nickel
Interstate 5, a highway that runs along the west coast of the United States.
Chrome
Same as Chromium.
Nickel
(slang) A playing card with the rank of five
Chrome
To treat with a solution of potassium bichromate, as in dyeing.
Nickel
A five-year prison sentence.
Chrome
Another word for chromium when it is used in dyes or pigments
Nickel
(American football) A defensive formation with five defensive backs, one of whom is a nickelback, instead of the more common four.
Chrome
Plate with chromium;
Chrome bathroom fixtures
Nickel
An airborne propaganda leaflet.
Chrome
Treat with a chromium compound
Nickel
Synonym of cheap: Low price and/or low value.
Let me give you the nickel tour of the office.
Nickel
(transitive) To plate with nickel.
Nickel
To distribute airborne leaflet propaganda.
Nickel
A bright silver-white metallic element of atomic number 28. It is of the iron group, and is hard, malleable, and ductile. It occurs combined with sulphur in millerite, with arsenic in the mineral niccolite, and with arsenic and sulphur in nickel glance. Symbol Ni. Atomic weight 58.70.
Nickel
A small coin made of or containing nickel; esp., a five-cent piece.
Nickel
A hard malleable ductile silvery metallic element that is resistant to corrosion; used in alloys; occurs in pentlandite and smaltite and garnierite and millerite
Nickel
A United States coin worth one twentieth of a dollar
Nickel
Five dollars worth of a drug;
A nickel bag of drugs
A nickel deck of heroin
Nickel
Plate with nickel;
Nickel the plate
Common Curiosities
How is chrome used in decorative applications?
Chrome is used in automotive trim, household fixtures, and other decorative items for its bright, mirror-like finish.
What is nickel?
Nickel is a silvery-white metal used in alloys and electroplating for durability and corrosion resistance.
How is nickel used in industry?
Nickel is used in stainless steel production, electroplating, batteries, and machinery parts for its durability and resistance to corrosion.
Why is nickel used in batteries?
Nickel is used in batteries for its conductive properties and ability to withstand high temperatures and repeated charging cycles.
Are there any health concerns with nickel or chrome?
Yes, both nickel and chrome can cause allergic reactions or health issues with prolonged exposure or improper handling, especially in certain industrial processes.
Can both nickel and chrome be used together?
Yes, items can be nickel-plated first for durability and then chrome-plated for a bright finish, combining the benefits of both metals.
What is the appearance difference between nickel and chrome?
Nickel has a slight yellowish hue, whereas chrome has a bright, bluish-white, mirror-like finish.
What is chrome?
Chrome, or chromium, is a shiny, metallic element used for plating to provide a reflective finish and protect against corrosion.
What are the main differences between nickel and chrome plating?
Nickel plating is known for its durability and slight yellowish hue, while chrome plating provides a brighter, mirror-like finish with excellent corrosion resistance.
Is chrome used for industrial applications?
Chrome is less commonly used for industrial applications compared to nickel, as it is primarily valued for its aesthetic appeal.
Which metal is better for corrosion resistance?
Both metals provide good corrosion resistance, but nickel is often preferred for its superior durability in harsh environments.
Which is more durable, nickel or chrome?
Nickel is generally more durable and resistant to wear compared to chrome.
Can nickel be used for decorative purposes?
Yes, nickel can be used for decorative purposes, but it is more commonly chosen for its functional properties.
What gives chrome its bright finish?
Chrome's bright, mirror-like finish comes from its ability to reflect light exceptionally well when polished.
Which plating is more expensive, nickel or chrome?
Chrome plating is generally more expensive due to its more labor-intensive polishing process and its aesthetic value.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Paved vs. Unpaved
Next Comparison
Thallus vs. MyceliumAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
