The best replacement for chromate is chromium.

The best alternatives to chromate are rated as following:
★★★★★  chromium
★★★★  zinc phosphate
★★★★  alodine
★★★★  anodize
★★★  dichromate
★★★  epoxy primer
★★★  chromite
★★  phosphate
★  trivalent chromate
★  zinc oxide
★  yellow chromate
★  red oxide primer
★  zinc phosphate primer
★  chrome
★  zinc plating
  red oxide
  clear chromate
  potassium chromate
  lead chromate
  potassium dichromate

Your alternative for chromate is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about chromate, one probably shouldn't forget about mercury thiocyanate.

Other search terms related to chromate and their ratings are:
★★★★★ mercury thiocyanate
★★★★ silver nitrate
★★★★ barium chloride
★★★★ lead nitrate
★★★ barium nitrate
You have in mind a companion for chromate and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

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chromate
chromium
zinc phosphate