Definition

Noun: 1. A violet-colored salt: Chrome alum is a specific chemical compound, potassium chromium sulfate, known for its distinctive violet color. It is used in industrial processes.

Usage

Chrome alum is used as a noun to refer to the specific chemical compound. It is primarily a technical term. - It is used in hide tanning to help preserve and treat animal skins. - It is used as a mordant in dyeing to help fix dyes to fabrics, making the colors more permanent and vibrant.

Examples

• The traditional recipe for tanning this leather requires chrome alum.
• To achieve a fast color on the wool, the dyer used chrome alum as a mordant.

Advanced Usage

• Chemical Context: In chemistry, 'chrome alum' specifically refers to the hydrated double sulfate of potassium and chromium, KCr(SO₄)₂·12H₂O. It is an example of a Tutton's salt.

Variants and Related Words

• Potassium chromium sulfate: The systematic chemical name for chrome alum.
• Chrome tanning: The industrial leather production process that uses chromium salts, which may include chrome alum.
• Mordant: A general term for a substance, like chrome alum, used to set dyes.

Synonyms

• Potassium chromium sulfate dodecahydrate (full chemical name)
• Chromium alum (a more general term that can sometimes refer to similar compounds)

Notes

This is a specialized technical term from chemistry and industrial manufacturing (tanning, dyeing). It is not commonly used in everyday conversation.

Noun

1. a violet-colored salt used in hide tanning and as a mordant in dyeing