ChangSha Zegen Advanced Materials Limited

Cadmium metal is a soft,silver-white transition metal that has a variety of industrial and technological applicaitons.Although cadmium is considered toxic and hazardous to health,its unqiue properties make it indispensable in a range of manufacturing and chemical processes.It is primarily extracted from zinc ores,where it is present in small quantities as a byproduct of zinc refining.Cadmium is primarily used in batteries,alloys,electroplating,pigments,and other specialty chemical applications.

Cadmium metal is available in various forms,including ingots,rods,sticks,plates,powders,targets,and granules,to suit different industrial needs.Its high purity variant,such as 99.995%,99.999%,and 99.9999%,are particularly valuable in sensitive applications such as semiconductors,reagents,and chemical processes.While cadmium itself is soft and malleable,it is also prone to oxidation and must be handled with care,especially in moist or humid environments where its surface forms a layer of cadmium oxide(CdO).

Physical and Chemical Properties of Cadmium Metal

Purity:99.995%, 99.999%, 99.9999%

Cadmium metal is a transition metal with distinctive properties that make it useful in a variety of industrial and chemical applications.The metal itself is relatively soft,which allows it to be processed into various forms,including rods,sheets,and powders.One of its key characteristics is its ability to oxidize slowly in moist air,where it loses its metallic luster and forms an oxide layer(CdO).This makes it important to store and handle cadmium in controlled environments to avoid unwanted corrosion.

Cadmium is highly reactive,especially at elevated temperatures.When heated,cadmium metal reacts directly with halogens such as chlorine,bromine,iodine,and other non-metallic elements such as sulfur,selenium,and phosophorus.These reactions can lead to the formation of cadmium compounds,which have applications in various chemical processes.

Forms of Cadmium:

1.Cadmium Rods:Cadmium rods are a commonly used form of the metal.They are produced from high-purity cadmium ingots and are typically used as raw materials in industries such as battery manufacturing and electroplating.Cadmium rods are also utilized in the production of various alloys and are a key component in the production of nickel-cadmium(Ni-Cd) batteries,when are widely used in portable electronics,power tools, and emergency lighting systems.

2.Cadmium Ingots:High-purity cadmium ingots are used as a raw material for the production of semiconductor components,chemical reagents,and in various metallurgical processes.These ingots are also used in the production of cadmium compounds,which are essential in industries such as optics and electronics.

3.Cadmium Plates:Cadmium plates,due to their excellent properties as reducing agents,are employed in metallurgical applications where they are used for deoxidizing metals during welding,refining,and alloy production.In addition,cadmium plates are integral component in the manufacturing of cadmium vapor lamps,which are used in various applications,including high-intensity discharge(HID) lamps and fluorescent lighting systems.

4.Cadmium Powder:Cadmium powder,produced by the reduction of cadmium salts or via other industrial methods, is used in the production of various chemical compounds and alloys.It is also used in electroplating,as well as in the creation of certain pigments and dyes,including the famous cadmium yellow pigment used in ceramics and paints.

5.Cadmium Slugs and Cadmium Spheres:Cadmium slugs and spheres are primarily used in applications such as welding fluxes,electroplating,and in the creation of cadmium-based alloys.The spherical form of cadmium is especially useful in applications where uniform melting properties are desired.

6.Cadmium Targets:Cadmium targets are used in sputtering processes,particularly in the production of thin films for semiconductors and other electronic components.Sputtering involves bombarding a cadmium target with high-energy ions,which causes the material to be ejected and deposited onto a substrate.This process is essential in creating conductive layers and coatings for various types of electronic devices.

Applications of Cadmium Metal

1.Nickel-Cadmium(Ni-Cd)Batteries:One of the primary uses of cadmium is in the manufacture of nickel-cadmium(Ni-Cd) batteries，which have been used for decades in portable electronics,power tools,and other devices requiring rechargeable battery systems.These batteries offer high energy density,reliable performance,and durability.Although Ni-Cd batteries have been largely replaced by lithium-ion batteries in many modern applications,they still remain an important energy storage option in certain industrial applications.

2.Electroplating and Metal Coating:Cadmium is commonly used as a coating material for other metals due to its excellent corrosion resistance and ability to form a protective oxide layer.Cadmium electroplating is often used to protect components such as aerospace parts,electrical connectors, and marine equipment.The cadmium coating helps to prevent rust and corrosion,even in harsh environments.

3.Pigments and Dyes:Cadmium compounds, especially cadmium sulfide(CdS) and cadmium selenide(CdSe),are used in the creation of vibrant pigments such as cadmium yellow and cadmium red,which are used in ceramics,paints,and plastics.These pigments are highly durable and offer excellent color intensity,making them valuable in the manufacturing of artistic and industrial paints.

4.Cadmium Salts:Cadmium metal is used in the production of a wide variety of cadmium-based salts,which have applications in industries such as photovoltaics,ceramics,electronics,and glasmaking.Common cadmium salts include cadmium chloride(CdCl2),cadmium sulfate(CdSO4),and cadmium carbonate(CdCO3).These compounds are used in the production of solar cells,semiconductors,and in the manufacture of television tubes and cathode ray tubes(CRTs).

5.Metallurgical Applications:Cadmium is also used in the metallurgical industry,where it serves as a deoxidizer and a welding flux.In this context,cadmium helps to remove oxygen from molten metals,thereby improving their quality and making them more suitable for casting and other manufacturing processes.

6.Cadmium Vapor Lamps:Cadmium vapor lamps are used in specific industrial applications,such as high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps.These lamps are particularly useful in street lighting and grow lights,where they provide a high level of illumination.The presence of cadmium in the vapor phase enhances the lamp’s efficiency and light output.

7.Toxicology and Environmental Impact:Although cadmium has many industrial applications,its toxic properties are significant concern.Prolonged exposure to cadmium,especially through inhalation or ingestion,can lead to serious health problems,including kidney damage,bone disease,and lung cancer.As a result,cadmium is subject to strict regulations in many countries to limit exposure to this harmful metal.

Cadmium metal is an important material with a wide range of applications in modern industry,from batteries and pigments to electroplating and metallurgical processes.Despite its toxicity,its unique properties-such as corrosion resistance,electrical conductivity,and chemical stability-make it indispensable in numerous specialized sectors.Zegen Advanced Materials offers high-purity cadmium products in various forms,including cadmium ingots,rods,plates,slugs,spheres,and powder,catering to industries like electronics,chemical manufacturing,and aerospace.Our cadmium products are produced to the highest standards,ensuring superior quality and performance for applicaitons where precision and reliability are crucial.