Substance profile
Cadmium
Cadmium is a silvery-white metal and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Cadmium is
Cadmium is a silvery-white metal and is odorless. Its molecular formula is Cd and its molecular weight is 112.41 g/mol. It boils at 767 °C, melts at 32.1 °C, is practically insoluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Cadmium
- C.I. 77180
- Cadmium Dust (As Cd)
- Cadmium Metal: Cadmium
- cadmium (pyrophoric)
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H250 | Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air. |
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H341 | Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H361fd | Suspected of damaging fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P260, P270, P271, P273, P280, P304, P308, P310, P313, P314, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Cadmium properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 767 °C (1412.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 765 °C (1409 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 765 °C (1409 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 32.07 °C (89.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| 321.11 °C (610 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 320.89 °C (609.6 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 8.65 g/cm³ | metal | NIOSH |
| 8.642 g/cm³ | CAMEO | ||
| 8.69 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water | HSDB | |
| Insoluble | NIOSH | ||
| Insoluble (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO | ||
| Vapor pressure | 0.0000021 mmHg | HSDB | |
| 0 mmHg | approx | NIOSH | |
| Autoignition temperature | 250 °C (482 °F) | Cadmium metal dust | HSDB |
| 250 °C (482 °F) | cadmium metal dust | ICSC | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | The dust ignites spontaneously in air and is flammable and explosive when exposed to heat ... . | HSDB | |
| Metal: Noncombustible Solid in bulk form, but will burn in powder form. | NIOSH | ||
| Corrosivity | Corrosion resistance poor in industrial atmosphere | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Cadmium
Storage conditions
Keep containers closed and protect against physical damage.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
The dust ignites spontaneously in air and is flammable and explosive when exposed to heat, flame, or by chemical reaction with oxidizing agents, metals, ammonia, zinc, selenium, and tellurium.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
A violent explosion occurred 30 minutes after placement of a CADMIUM rod into hydrazoic acid [Mellor 8 Supp. 2:50 1967]. Fused ammonium nitrate with powdered metal often produces a violent explosive reaction. Reactivity similar to zinc. May be incompatible with oxidants.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Cadmium in the storage compatibility matrix →
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