Chromic, << KROH mihk, >> acid is the common name for chromium trioxide, an important industrial compound. Its chemical formula is CrO3. Most chromic acid is made by combining sulfuric acid with potassium dichromate. The two substances react to form dark red crystals. These crystals readily absorb water and react with other substances. Chromic acid is poisonous and carcinogenic (cancer-producing), and it can cause serious burns. Industries that use the compound seek to replace it with safer materials. Chromic acid is used in chrome plating, which produces a shiny protective finish for faucets and similar products. It is also used to make fungicides, fire-retardant chemicals, and industrial catalysts (substances that speed chemical reactions).
