Cadmium (Cd)
Alkali Metals | Atomic Number: 48
Basic Properties
Cd
48
112.411 g/mol
| Element Category | Alkali Metals |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 48 |
| Atomic Weight | 112.411 g/mol |
| Crystal Structure | Hexagonal close-packed (HCP) |
Description
Cadmium is a soft, malleable transition metal that is highly toxic and heavily regulated due to health concerns.
| Density | 8.69 g/cm³ |
|---|
| Tensile Strength | 62-75 MPa |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 2.0 Mohs |
| Melting Point | 321.1°C |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 767°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 96.6 W/(m·K) |
| Electrical Conductivity | 1.39 × 10^7 S/m |
|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Good - forms protective oxide layer, but highly toxic |
|---|
Applications
Batteries (NiCd), pigments, coatings, solar cells, nuclear reactor control, stabilizers
Production Methods
Byproduct of zinc refining, electrolytic extraction
History
Discovered by Karl Samuel Leberecht Hermann and Friedrich Stromeyer in 1817.