Speculation: Lunar Chromium
							David A. Dietzler, 2007
	Chromite, FeCr2O4, could be of great value on the Moon.  The regolith contains about 0.2% chromium in the form of chromite.  This metal is used for catalysts (ferrochrome is used in RWGS reactors that convert CO2 to CO by reaction with H2) and stainless steel contains 10% or more chromium. Cryogenic storage tanks are made of stainless steel. It imparts oxidation resistance, something of importance inside lunar habitat, lava tube towns, etc.  Adding chromium to iron imparts hardness, strength and corrosion resistance.  Some alloy irons contain 25% to 28% chromium. Iron alloys containing chromium are used for hi temp., wear and abrasion resistant service. Chromium oxide is used to make hi temp. refractories. Reflectors bearing intense solar energy loads from large primary reflectors could be made of chromium, m.p. 1900 C.  Ruby consists of aluminum oxide doped with chromium.  It's an essential nutrient also.  An alloy of 72% iron, 23% chromium and 5% aluminum makes a resistance heating element that can reach 2350 C ( 4262 F).  It is also an ingredient in many iron, nickel and cobalt based superalloys for hi temp service above 1000 F.  Chromium may have other uses. Chromite (FeCr2O4) might be extracted from large qtys. of mare basalt by electrostatic separation. It could be smelted in solar furnaces with carbon to get ferrochrome that would then be added to steel.  How productive this will be I do not know.  Given the value of chromium and that fact that some stainless steels and superalloys contain well over 20% chromium, lunar industry could derive great benefit from the existence of chromite deposits as hypothesized above.