Cadmium Plating

This process is similar to and used for the same applications as zinc, except that it provides for a far superior corrosion resistance than zinc does and, due to its RF shielding effect and solderability, it is widely used for military and electronics applications. This service is offered on small lots of fasteners done by barrel plating as well as stampings and fabricated parts that require rack plating.

Cadmium plating is a metallic silver, soft coating that can be deposited on various base materials such as steel, copper, iron, brass and aluminum. It is prized for its corrosion resistance, lubricity, chemical resistance, ductility, and ease of solderability. These qualities make it the ideal coating for everything from bolts and screws on submarines to military parachute buckles. Its unrivaled durability and protective attributes have undoubtedly saved countless lives.

Benefits of Cadmium Plating

Cadmium is a highly desirable material due to its range of beneficial properties. Cadmium plating is what’s known as a sacrificial coating, meaning it corrodes and breaks down before the underlying material, adding a layer of protection to the metal below.

Cadmium has a number of properties that set it apart as a coating material. Those properties include:

• High resistance to salt water corrosion
• Provides adhesives with an exceptional bonding surface
• Serves as a great conductor of electricity
• Has a high level of solderability
• Comes with built-in lubricity that prevents galling and provides a low-friction surface
• Naturally resistant to mold and bacteria
• Can easily coat dissimilar materials, complex shapes, and hard-to-reach contours
• Can be applied in an ultra-thin, lightweight layer

Industries and Applications

Cadmium electroplating is still used across a variety of Military Applications.

• Aerospace – Cadmium electroplating has anti-corrosive qualities combined with its natural lubricity that make it ideal for essential in-flight requirements. Its adhesive properties make it especially useful in bonding materials to the aluminum frames of aircrafts.
• Marine – Cadmium plating offers protection against salt water corrosion, making it highly valuable in marine applications.
• Electronics – The conductivity of cadmium electroplating makes it ideal for use in connectors and relays in electronics.