Chrome is short for chromium. Chromium is a shiny hard metal that's the 24th chemical element in the periodic table. However, this is not what your chrome radiators are made out of, at least it's not the main material. When it's said that an appliance is made from chrome, it actually means that it's chrome-plated.

Chrome is not that useful when used on its own. It is too hard and brittle, that's why it needs to be alloyed with other metals. Chrome has smooth luster and is corrosion resistant and this is what makes it an ideal metal for alloys.

Aesthetically speaking, chrome can achieve a brighter shine than stainless steel, but stainless steel is easier to polish. In practice, even an expert can find it difficult to distinguish between polished stainless steel and multi-layered chrome.