We provide expert cadmium plating services, applying a protective cadmium coating with superior corrosion resistance and multiple performance benefits widely used in aerospace, marine, automotive, and electronics industries.
Cadmium Plating Overview
Cadmium plating is an electrochemical process where a thin layer of cadmium is deposited on steel, copper, or iron substrates, forming a soft, silvery-white coating. Known for its exceptional corrosion resistance, malleability, and lubricity, cadmium plating protects metal parts from harsh environments and extends their service life.
Key Properties and Benefits of Cadmium Plating
- Excellent Corrosion Resistance
Cadmium plating provides outstanding protection against corrosion, especially in marine, salt spray, and aggressive chemical environments. It acts as a sacrificial coating, corroding preferentially to protect the underlying metal even if the surface is scratched. - Sacrificial Protection
The cadmium layer corrodes first, shielding the substrate. This galvanic protection is critical in harsh, oxidative conditions. - Low Friction Coefficient
Cadmium exhibits built-in lubricity, reducing friction and wear. This is particularly valuable for moving components like gears, bearings, and fasteners by preventing galling. - Strong Adhesion
Cadmium adheres well to various substrates ensuring durability and longevity. - Enhanced Electrical Conductivity
It offers excellent electrical and thermal conductivity with low resistance, making it suitable for electrical contacts and connectors. - Pliability and Ease of Soldering
The coating is soft, malleable, and solderable like tin, ideal for assembly applications. - Good Paint Base
It bonds well with adhesives and paints, improving coating adhesion for painted parts. - Color and Appearance Versatility
Cadmium plating can be finished with chromate conversion coatings in colors like clear, yellow, olive drab, or black for added corrosion protection and aesthetic purposes.
Common Applications of Cadmium Plating
- Aerospace components including fasteners and structural parts
- Marine hardware exposed to saltwater and corrosion
- Military and defense equipment requiring durable corrosion protection
- Electrical connectors and electronic components needing low resistance
- Automotive and transportation parts exposed to harsh conditions
- Industrial machinery with sliding, rotating, or moving parts
- Paint base coating to enhance paint adhesion and durability
Cadmium Plating Deposit Properties Table
| Property | Typical Values / Description |
| Composition | Pure cadmium deposit |
| Coating Thickness Range | 2 µm to 12 µm (50 – 300 microinches) |
| Thickness Tolerance | ±10% (depending on process control) |
| Hardness | 30–70 HV (Vickers Hardness), soft and malleable |
| Corrosion Resistance | Superior, sacrificial protection; enhanced by chromate treatments |
| Electrical Conductivity | High, low electrical resistance |
| Coating Appearance | Bright silvery-white; can be chromate treated to yellow, olive drab, black, or clear |
| Adhesion | Excellent to steel, copper, and alloys |
| Lubricity/Low Friction | High lubricity reducing galling |
Coating Thickness and Tolerances
- Typical thickness ranges from 50 to 300 microinches (1.27 to 7.62 microns) depending on application requirements.
- Thickness tolerances are generally ±10%, controlled to ensure consistent protection without cracking or flaking.
Hardness and Heat Treatments
- Cadmium deposits are inherently soft and ductile, with hardness approximately 30 to 70 HV, facilitating malleability and solderability.
- Heat treatments are rarely required or applied since cadmium’s softness is beneficial in many applications; however, post-treatment chromate coatings are commonly used for enhanced corrosion resistance.
Corrosion Resistance
- Cadmium plating provides excellent corrosion resistance, outperforming many coatings in salt spray and marine environments.
- Its sacrificial nature ensures protection of steel and other base metals by preferential corrosion.
- Often, a chromate conversion coating is applied over cadmium plating that significantly enhances corrosion protection and adds color finish options.
- It exhibits superior resistance to corrosion compared to zinc plating in many industrial and marine applications.
Contact our technical team today to discuss your cadmium plating requirements and receive expert guidance on coating selection, process control, and certification ensuring long-term protection and performance of your critical components.