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Cadmium Plating

Cadmium Plated Stamped Steel Parts

For those seeking corrosion, rust, mold, and bacteria resistance without sacrificing conductivity, Gleco offers Cadmium Plating in AMS QQ-P-416, AMS 2400, ASTM B766, MIL-STD-171, ASTM F1914, ISO 4042, and ASTM B850 specs. Because it can be applied in an ultra-thin, lightweight layer, Cadmium is an ideal solution for critical parts and parts with complex geometries.

Cadmium is a byproduct of zinc production. It works well as a paint base, provides a good bonding surface for adhesives, and offers excellent corrosion protection at low thicknesses and in high-salt environments.

The Cadmium Plating Process

Cadmium plating is applied as follows:

  1. Gleco platers carefully clean each part to remove surface contaminants.
  2. We prepare an electrolyte solution of cadmium salts.
  3. We lower each piece into the prepared plating solution.
  4. We optionally apply chromate to increase the life of the coating.

Material Options

Cadmium plating offers an attractive, soft coating deposited on:

  • Steel
  • Copper
  • Brass
  • Aluminum
  • Iron

Benefits of Cadmium Plating

Aerospace and marine companies select Cadmium plating due to its many benefits:

  • Corrosion and rust resistance
  • Mold and bacteria resistance
  • Outstanding conductivity
  • Malleability/pliability
  • Excellent lubricity
  • Low levels of galvanic corrosion
  • Low electrical contact resistance
  • Aesthetics

Cadmium Plating Applications

This soft bluish-gray or silvery-white finish is used by the Aerospace, Automotive, Electronics, Defense, and Marine industries to plate:

  • Electric batteries
  • Disc brake
  • Electronic connectors
  • Electronic relays
  • Coatings
  • High-performance hoses
  • Hardware
  • Industrial fasteners

If you have a part that requires conductive Cadmium Plating that is highly solderable and resistant to rust, corrosion, bacteria, and mold, call the plating experts at Gleco Plating today.