Characteristic
Cadmium is a chemical element with the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. Cadmium is a soft, malleable, ductile, silvery-white divalent metal. It is similar in many respects to zinc but forms complex compounds.Unlike most other metals, cadmium is resistant to corrosion and is used as a protective plate on other metals. As a bulk metal, cadmium is insoluble in water and is not flammable; however, in its powdered form it may burn and release toxic fumes.
Phase at STP:solid
Appearance:silvery bluish-gray metallic
Melting point:594.22 K (321.07 °C, 609.93 °F)
Boiling point:1040 K (767 °C, 1413 °F)
Density (near r.t.):8.65 g/cm3
when liquid (at m.p.):7.996 g/cm3
Heat of fusion:6.21 kJ/mol
Heat of vaporization:99.87 kJ/mol
Molar heat capacity 26.020 J/(mol·K)
Application
Cadmium occurs as a minor component in most zinc ores and is a byproduct of zinc production. Cadmium was used for a long time as a corrosion-resistant plating on steel, and cadmium compounds are used as red, orange and yellow pigments, to color glass, and to stabilize plastic. Cadmium use is generally decreasing because it is toxic (it is specifically listed in the European Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and nickel-cadmium batteries have been replaced with nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries. One of its few new uses is cadmium telluride solar panels.