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How much cadmium in a cadmium bolt?
We have a load of hazardous dust that is 2.2 ppm of cadmium. The box weighs 13 tons. I figure that it contains about .06 lbs of cadmium in it. My question is, how many bolts would I have to melt to give me the 2.2 ppm of cadmium. How much cadmium is in a cadmium coated bolt?
matt cox- waterloo, Iowa, USA
2003
First of two simultaneous responses --
Not enough information to calculate, but here's how to estimate: First, select a typical bolt size and thread type. Use a Machinery's Handbook and figure out the total surface area of the bolt. The bolt was perhaps plated per Federal specification, AMSQQP416, Class 2, Type
2 (0.0003" Cd + yellow chromate). The density of Cd is 0.313 lbs/cu. inch. Hence, 0.06 lbs is enough for 639 sq. inches of plating. Divide by the bolt area and voilà tout, the number of bolts.
Your dust also has some Cr, but likely at a lower concentration than Cd.
- Goleta, California
![contributor of the year](../portraits/ken_vlach_award_thumb.jpg)
Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
2003
Second of two simultaneous responses --
Matt, figure on the cadmium plating averaging 0.0003 to 0.0005 inch thick. You know the size of bolt you're talking about, so your rough calculations should be reasonably accurate.
Good luck!
![lee gearhart](../portraits/lee_gearhart.jpg)
Lee Gearhart
metallurgist - E. Aurora, New York
2003
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