Element 48 · Transition Metal
Cadmium
Cadmium was once a common plating metal — but its toxicity has driven it out of most consumer applications.
Element Facts
SYMBOL
Cd
ATOMIC NO.
48
ATOMIC WEIGHT
112.41
CATEGORY
Transition Metal
PERIOD
Period 5
GROUP
Group 12
In Brief
Cadmium is element 48, a soft bluish-white transition metal recovered as a by-product of zinc smelting. It was named after the ancient Greek city of Cadmia (the same root as cadmium yellow pigment).
History
Cadmium plating was widely used as a corrosion-resistant coating on steel components in aviation and marine hardware through the mid-20th century. Cadmium-yellow and cadmium-red pigments in paints. Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable batteries dominated portable electronics from the 1960s to early 2000s.
Uses Today
Cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar cells, where its high light absorption efficiency provides a cost-effective alternative to silicon. Cadmium pigments retain niche use in artists' paints and high-temperature plastics. Limited use in nickel-cadmium aviation batteries.
Why We Don't Buy It
Why QuickStop Metals doesn’t buy Cadmium:
Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal classified as a human carcinogen, and its use is heavily restricted under EU/UK RoHS regulations. Cadmium-containing items (old NiCd batteries, cadmium-plated parts) require licensed hazardous waste processors. We do not handle cadmium-containing scrap due to environmental and worker safety regulations. NiCd batteries should go to dedicated battery collection schemes.
Value & Pricing
Cadmium prices are around $2,500–5,000/tonne but limited markets exist.