Cadmium Plating

Cadmium Plating Services for Advanced Manufacturers

Cadmium plating is the process of applying a thin layer of cadmium to an object’s surface in order to provide it with the chemical and physical properties of the element. It provides a sleek, aesthetically pleasing blue-grey finish to its substrates and provides them with a long-lasting and corrosion resistant coating.

Cadmium itself is a highly malleable, soft, silver metal that when applied to a substrate’s surface creates a ‘sacrificial coating.’ This means that the cadmium applied will corrode entirely before any of the lower-layered metals get damaged.

This coating makes Cadmium plating an unrivaled finish when seeking corrosion protection. It’s resistance to corrosion, along with a multitude of other benefits, are why cadmium plating is so common in Aerospace and Defense manufacturing

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Benefits of Cadmium Plating

The incredibly unique chemical qualities of Cadmium make it an excellent deposit when looking to combat corrosion. Aside from increasing corrosion resistance, Cadmium plating can provide its substrates with a wide range of chemical and physical properties. Some of the most notable benefits of Cadmium plating are:

Corrosion Resistance
Solderability
Good conductivity
Adhesive
Malleable
Highly Ductile
And more!

Frequently Asked Questions

Industrial Uses for Cadmium Plating

Any industry that is looking for a lightweight and corrosion resistant coating for their components has most likely found use of Cadmium plating. Without drastically altering the weight or dimensions of a substrate, Cadmium plating is a useful component for industries needing exact geometries and lightweight functionality. Some common industry uses for cadmium plating are:

Aircraft components
Marine engineering components
Cellphone/Laptop Batteries
Hardware
And many others!

Cadmium Plating Specs

AOTCO provides the following Cadmium plating specs:

QQ-P-416 – NADCAP Approved
AMS-QQ-P-416 – NADCAP Approved
FED-QQ-P-416 – NADCAP Approved
AMS 2400 – NDACAP Approved
And many others!

For our full list of available Mil Specs, AMS Specs, and ASTM Specs visit AOTCO Military Plating Specs page.

Common Substrates for Cadmium Plating

Cadmium plating is nearly unparalleled in its ability to resist corrosion, and therefore it is typically paired with metals that are more susceptible to corrosion and oxidation. Steel, Iron and their respective alloys are frequently coated in Cadmium to bolster the chemical strength of their surface. Some of the most common substrates for Cadmium plating include:

Steel
Brass
Iron and Other Ferrous Alloys
Bronze
Copper
And more!

Special Note

While Cadmium is a very common and effective metal finish, it is worth noting that the substance is considered to be toxic and can be dangerous if not handled properly and within the set regulated limits. Luckily, at AOTCO, our team provides up to 50 years of expertise working with Cadmium (as well as an array of other materials) and are well prepared to aid in your next Cadmium plating job.

Other elements to consider before submitting a Cadmium plating purchase order are coating requirements, specification requirements, and any pre and post process treatments that will be required.

Looking for Specs?

Learn more about the specifications AOTCO offers, including NADCAP-accredited and RoHS-compliant ones.

Get Plating Specs

Have Questions?
We're Happy to Help.

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looking for Plating Specifications?

Cadmium Plating