Cadmium Anode Baskets: Steel Works, But Watch Wastewater

Summary for cadmium anode baskets Discussion

Anode basket material for cadmium plating is the central question in this thread. Steven Smithers of Kansas City says his cyanide cadmium shop is using titanium baskets but is seeing possible breakdown at very high pH, and he found conflicting guidance: plating books mention steel cages for cadmium anode balls, while a metal specialist recommended steel but said stainless steel would not carry the current. He also noted that regular steel may not be approved, while stainless steel was listed as approved in a spec. The reply says titanium is common, but steel was the traditional anode cage material for cyanide cadmium plating for decades and should work fine if that is indeed the bath chemistry. However, the answerer warns that steel baskets can create hard-to-destroy ferrocyanides, which may cause wastewater treatment problems. The answer also notes uncertainty about which approving body the questioner is referring to.