seeba Fact Sheet
Cadmium: Cas Number 7440-43-9
Substance: Cadmium (Cd) - Metal
Physical Properties
Appearance: Metallic silver
Atomic / Molecular weight = 112.4
Density = 8.68 gm/cc
Melting temperature = 321°C
Boiling point = 765°C
Specific heat = 0.055 cal/°C at 20°C
Resistivity = 0.077 ohms-mm2 / m at 20°C
Cadmium is normally economic to recycle
Toxicity
Cadmium is carcinogenic. Inhalation can cause cause pulmonary emphysema, chronic bronchitis. Other
effects are enemia, kidney and bone damage, and osteoporosis.
Applications
Used in steel and copper alloys. Surface protection (electrodeposited, vacuum deposited or mechanically
deposited coating) for steel, cast iron, aluminium and titanium alloys plus other non-ferrous metals.
Acts as a stabilisers in polymers, and pigments in paints. Is used in batteries including as part of the
negative electrode material in nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries.
Used for brazing and as a solder including solder for aluminium. Also found in reactor control rods, and catalysts.
Has been used in electrical components such as resistors and capacitors.
Legislation:
EU: 2002/95/EC - Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic
equipment (Europe)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.01% of homogeneous material
Notes: Applies from July 2006. Exemptions exist.
CIS 91-1422 - Chemical Substances Act (Netherlands)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0% of product
Notes: Covers all except electrical and electronic equipment covered by RoHS (EU: 2002/95/EC). Total
ban
SFS 1985:839 - The Cadmium Ordinance (Sweden)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0% of product
Notes: Cadmium substance may not be used for surface treatment or as a
stabiliser or colouring agent.
Ordinance Oct 2001 - Ordinance relating to Environmentally Hazardous Substances (Switzerland)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0% of component
Notes: Banned in plastics and as coatings. Thresholds from 0.015 to 0.1% set for different classes of
bateries
EU: 2000/53/EC - End-of-life Vehicles (Europe)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.01% of homogeneous material
Notes: Vehicles directive. Exemptions exist. The definition of homogeneous material homogenous is a
material that cannot be mechanically disjointed into different materials.
EU: 94/62/EC - Packaging and packaging waste (Europe)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.01% of packaging part
Notes: Sum of concentration levels of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium present in
packaging or packaging components
EU: 76/769/EEC - Restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (Europe)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.01% of component
Notes: Certain polymers including PVC, and for most plating applications.
US: TPCH - TPCH Toxics in Packaging Legislation (US)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.01% of packaging part
Notes: Sum of concentration levels of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium present in
packaging or packaging components . Banned Intentionally added.
EU: 91/338/EEC - 10th admendment to 76/769/EEC restrictions on the marketing and use of certain
dangerous substances and preparations (Europe)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.01% of component
Notes: Legislation updating EU: 76/769/EEC
EU: 91/157/EEC - Batteries and accumulators (Europe)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.025% of product
Notes: Applies to batteries and accumulators
Specifications:
Joint Industry Guide - Joint Industry Guide: Material Composition Declaration Guide (Global)
Report above threshold. Threshold 0.0075% of homogeneous material
Notes: Or intentionally added
VDA-List 232-101 - VDA Materials Declaration List for IMDS (Global)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.01% of homogeneous material
Notes: Used for reporting into the IMDS automotive database
.