Cadmium plated bolts and aircraft fittings.
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 10:14 am
Cadmium plated bolts and aircraft fittings.
Many aircraft bolts and fittings are Cadmium plated. A while ago I heard that it is not a good idea to have direct contact with cadmium. So I did a bit of reading.
What is the LAA’s view on this ?
Now, leaving out radiation control, the features that make cadmium attractive are: good corrosion resistance, solderability, cathodic protection of steel, galvanic compatibility with aluminum, excellent lubricity, freedom from stick-slip when torquing, malleability, economy, and no gummy and voluminous corrosion products.
Most cadmium plated bolts -- and most zinc plated bolts as well -- also have hexavalent chromate conversion coatings on them, and hexavalent chromate is another toxin.
Cadmium is considered a hazardous material, so don't touch it with bare skin as part of regular work duties.
So I think the short answer is you should be wearing gloves if handling them and certainly don’t hold a bolt with your lips, as a 3rd hand, even for a moment while assembling a part.
As a follow up is the use of stainless steel fittings a better solution to corrosion resistance for bolts, nuts and turnbuckles ?
Many aircraft bolts and fittings are Cadmium plated. A while ago I heard that it is not a good idea to have direct contact with cadmium. So I did a bit of reading.
What is the LAA’s view on this ?
Now, leaving out radiation control, the features that make cadmium attractive are: good corrosion resistance, solderability, cathodic protection of steel, galvanic compatibility with aluminum, excellent lubricity, freedom from stick-slip when torquing, malleability, economy, and no gummy and voluminous corrosion products.
Most cadmium plated bolts -- and most zinc plated bolts as well -- also have hexavalent chromate conversion coatings on them, and hexavalent chromate is another toxin.
Cadmium is considered a hazardous material, so don't touch it with bare skin as part of regular work duties.
So I think the short answer is you should be wearing gloves if handling them and certainly don’t hold a bolt with your lips, as a 3rd hand, even for a moment while assembling a part.
As a follow up is the use of stainless steel fittings a better solution to corrosion resistance for bolts, nuts and turnbuckles ?