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Product Code: 3008
Cadmium Pellets for Vacuum Deposition
Lead-free5-20 MeshVacuum Deposition GradeHigh Surface Area Pellet FormSacrificial Coating Source
Cadmium pellets in 5-20 mesh for vacuum deposition and electroplating. Used as sacrificial coating source for steel, cast iron, copper, and powdered metal substrates.
Cadmium Pellets are pure cadmium supplied in 5-20 mesh size for vacuum deposition and electroplating anode applications. In vacuum deposition (physical vapor deposition) cadmium pellets serve as the evaporation source material providing a high-purity controlled-size feed for thermal evaporation or electron beam evaporation systems that deposit thin cadmium films on aerospace components, electronic parts, and specialty substrates. The 5-20 mesh size offers increased surface area compared to larger pieces promoting rapid and uniform evaporation in vacuum deposition systems. In electroplating applications the pellet form provides increased anode surface area for efficient dissolution in cadmium plating baths. Cadmium deposited by either method functions as a sacrificial metallic coating that corrodes preferentially to protect steel, cast iron, malleable iron, copper, and powdered metal base materials from corrosion. Applications include aerospace fasteners, military hardware, and electronic components requiring marine corrosion resistance, low friction, and good solderability. Handling and use are subject to environmental and occupational health regulations. Forms: 5-20 mesh pellets.
Available Forms
5-20 Mesh
Product Code
3008
Technical Info
Thermal Properties
Melting Point (Solidus)610°F (321°C)
Melting Point (Liquidus)610°F (321°C)
Physical Properties
Density (imperial)0.312 lbs/in³
Density (metric)8.65 g/cm³
Primary ElementsCd
Lead FreeYes
Key Features
5-20 MeshVacuum Deposition GradeHigh Surface Area Pellet FormSacrificial Coating Source
Nominal Composition
99.95% Cd
Frequently Asked Questions
Common technical inquiries regarding Cadmium Pellets for Vacuum Deposition
Cadmium pellets are most commonly used in thermal evaporation PVD systems where the pellets are loaded into a tungsten or molybdenum boat or crucible and resistively heated under high vacuum (below 10-4 torr) until cadmium evaporates and condenses on the substrate. Cadmium's low melting point (610F/321C) and high vapor pressure make it well suited to thermal evaporation. PVD cadmium deposits are very pure, extremely thin (0.5-5 microns), and have excellent adhesion on properly prepared substrates.
5-20 mesh (approximately 0.85-4 mm particle size) is the optimal range for thermal evaporation boat loading - small enough to pack efficiently into the evaporation boat and provide uniform contact with the heated surface but not so fine that it creates dust handling issues or bridging in hoppers and feed systems. Powder would create cadmium dust hazards during handling and loading. Large pieces would have insufficient surface contact with the boat and inconsistent evaporation rates as piece geometry changes during melting.
Vacuum-deposited cadmium offers several advantages over electroplated cadmium for specific applications: no hydrogen embrittlement risk (electroplating can introduce hydrogen into high-strength steel substrates causing delayed failure), very thin and uniform deposits achievable without masking, applicability to substrates sensitive to plating bath chemicals, and no liquid waste streams. However PVD cadmium has lower throughput than barrel or rack electroplating and is more capital-intensive. PVD cadmium is typically specified for ultra-high-strength steel (above 220 ksi) where hydrogen embrittlement risk must be eliminated.
CDA 101 oxygen-free high-conductivity copper anode in nugget and 1″ ball forms. Used for copper electroplating of ammunition, coinage, electrical connectors, and decorative components.
99.99% SHG zinc in 2″ diameter solid ball anode form. No flash or gates. Used for electroplating applications requiring consistent dissolution in anode baskets.
Electrolytic Grade N nickel in 1/4″ x 3/4″ pellet form. Used for decorative and functional nickel electroplating providing corrosion protection, wear resistance, and high luster finish.
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