Cadmium & compounds: Overview
Description
Cadmium compounds are used in the metal plating and battery industry, and as stabilizing agents in many polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products. Cadmium metal is alloyed with copper in the production of automobile radiators. Cadmium chloride is used in the dyeing and printing of fabrics, in electronics component manufacture and in photography. Cadmium oxide is used in electroplating, in semiconductors, and in glass and ceramic glazes. Cadmium sulfide is used in the electronics industry for photocells and light emitting diodes. It is also used as a curing agent in tires. Cadmium is a component of petrol, diesel fuel and lubricating oils.
Substance details
Substance name: Cadmium and compounds
CASR number: 7440-43-9
Molecular formula: Cd
Cadmium Chloride: CdCl2
Cadmium oxide: CdO
Cadmium sulfide: CdS
Synonyms: Colloidal cadmium
Cadmium sulfide: greenockite, hawleyite
Cadmium oxide: monteponite
Physical properties
Pure cadmium, the metal, is a soft silver white colour. Cadmium is most often found combined with other elements, which produces compounds such as Cadmium chloride, Cadmium oxide, and Cadmium sulfite.
Melting Point: Cadmium: 320.9°C
Cadmium chloride: 568°C
Cadmium oxide: 900°C (decomposes)
Boiling Point: Cadmium: 765°C
Cadmium chloride: 967°C
Cadmium oxide: 1385°C
Vapour Density: Cadmium: 3.9
Cadmium chloride: 6.3
Cadmium oxide: Does not apply
Chemical properties
Cadmium and its compounds are stable. In water some of the compounds will be quite soluble (cadmium chloride) and others will be insoluble (cadmium oxide). As fine powder cadmium metal will burn, releasing toxic fumes of cadmium oxide.
Further information
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) holds data for all sources of cadmium and compounds emissions in Australia.
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