Cadmium

Cadmium is well machined, rolled and polished. In dry air, cadmium reacts (burns) with oxygen only at high temperatures. Reacts with inorganic acids to form salts. Does not react with alkali solutions. In the molten state, it reacts with halogens, sulfur, tellurium, selenium, and oxygen.

• Most of the cadmium mined is used to produce anti-corrosion coatings. Cadmium coating creates a stronger and more plastic bond with the part than all others, so cadmium is used to protect against corrosion in particularly difficult conditions, for example, when in contact with sea water, to protect electrical contacts.
• Very popular in the production of accumulators and batteries.
• It is used as a reagent for laboratory research.
• It is used to provide alloys with the necessary qualities. Alloys with cadmium are low-melting (with lead, tin, bismuth), plastic and refractory (with nickel, copper, zirconium), wear-resistant. Wires for transmission lines, hard solders for aluminum, bearings for large and powerful engines (ships, aircraft) are produced from alloys. Low-melting alloys are used for making gypsum castings, soldering glass and metal in some fire extinguishers.
• A very important field of application is the nuclear industry. Cadmium is used to produce rods for regulating the rate of atomic reactions in the reactor, as well as shields against neutron radiation.