Introduction:
| Symbol | : | Cd |
|---|---|---|
| Atomic number | : | 48 |
| Melting point | : | 321.1°C |
| Density (near r.t) | : | 8.65 g/cm3 |
Chemical Composition:
| Cd | 99.994% |
| Cu | 18.8 PPM |
| Fe | 1.2 PPM |
| Ni | 12.9 PPM |
| Pb | 20.0 PPM |
| Ti | 1.10 PPM |
| Sn | 1.1 PPM |
| Zn | 2.4 PPM |
Characteristics:
- Cadmium is a lustrous, silver-white, ductile, very malleable metal.
- Its surface has a bluish tinge and the metal is soft enough to be cut with a knife, but it tarnishes in air.
- It is soluble in acids but not in alkalis. It is similar in many respects to zinc but it forms more complex compounds.
Applications:
- Making of nickel-cadmium batteries
- Pigments, coatings and plating
- Stabilizers in manufacture of plastics
- Electroplating of steel
- Production of nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) rechargeable batteries