Cadmium in Brazing rods

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Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby Yummyrum » Thu Aug 07, 2014 9:57 pm

Just become aware of this in Flamehawks 4" Build thread

So what are the dangers and are the 2% sticks we commonly get from Bunnings OK
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby bayshine » Thu Aug 07, 2014 10:13 pm

I'm not sure about it but the way they advertise about it when it's cadmium free can only mean it's bad shit generally :?
All our studs and nuts used for gas and oil piping at work are cadmium plated for corrosion purposes in a salty environment :think:
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby MacStill » Thu Aug 07, 2014 10:16 pm

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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby Brendan » Thu Aug 07, 2014 10:32 pm

I'm no expert. I've read most of the dangers related to inhalation of fumes, but not sure if boiling hot ethanol vapour has any ability to leach (it does with a lot of things).

Regardless, I wasn't taking the risk and got cadmium free rods. I just went to a local welding supplies place around the corner from Bunnings :p Cost a little more, but I have peace of mind.

Time For Brazing to go Cadmium-free.pdf
Last edited by Brendan on Thu Aug 07, 2014 10:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby Yummyrum » Thu Aug 07, 2014 10:35 pm

Thanks for that link .....

Well to me ,I'm not all that worried .I think my alcohol intake will have more of an impact on my body than what I am likely to suffer due to cadmium.

So I take it that Bunnings rods do contain cadmium .Is it all them or just the 2% ones
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby flamehawk » Fri Aug 08, 2014 12:38 am

There would be almost no commercial rods out there with cadmium for sale. '

It was made illegal a while ago but was common place prior to that.

the cadmium was added for ease of use but removed for health concerns over the last decade.
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby dogbreath vodka » Fri Aug 08, 2014 7:35 am

In the jewellery trade they regularly use gold solders with cadmium in them.
The cadmium is in such small quantities that there is very little likelihood of health problems.

Having worked with this for a few decades now I can say it hasn't affected me....., affected me,...... affected me. 8-} 8-}

:D :D :D

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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby SX170 » Fri Aug 08, 2014 11:42 am

I sell silver brazing alloy rods at work in 2%, 5% &15%.
I just checked and all the packets say "cadmium free brazing alloy"
Made by a company called Silbraze.
I would say it would be a standard across all industries so I am pretty sure the Bunnings stuff will be all good.

Cheers.
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby kickarum » Fri Aug 08, 2014 7:45 pm

When i built my pot still I only used silver solder no soft solder and after reading this thread last night i became a little concerned. So spoke to my welding supplier today who happens to be an ex boilermaker, he can't remember the last time he saw or used any silver solder containing cadmium and told me it is now illegal to sell sticks/rods containing it. However this is only what I've been told.
Cheers Kicka.
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby MacStill » Sun Aug 10, 2014 6:23 pm

ok this has been cleaned up, now let's all stay on topic please :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby Bobsyauncle » Sun May 21, 2017 4:55 pm

Just resurrecting this thread as it turns out I've got a shit load of high silver content brazing rods. Only problem is they are 20yr+ old. Ive noticed it contains 24% cadmium and had a read about it but can only find the risk are with the dust and fumes.

Does anyone have any solid facts that it can be leeched into the ethanol?
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby Lowie » Sun May 21, 2017 7:33 pm

Cadmium's a carcinogen mate, that's why it's not used anymore (except in the processing of aircraft parts). Best off ditching them or use supplied air when using them.
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby warramungas » Sun May 21, 2017 10:43 pm

Cadmium is about 10000 times more toxic than lead (so my mineral science lecturer quoted). 24% sounds a bit high though. Certainly wouldn't use them in any food/drink machinery.

Sure its not 2.4%?
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby wynnum1 » Mon May 22, 2017 3:24 am

Lowie wrote:Cadmium's a carcinogen mate, that's why it's not used anymore (except in the processing of aircraft parts). Best off ditching them or use supplied air when using them.

What does it cost to buy the Cadmium rods now they may be more valuable to someone who has need for them.
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby Undertaker » Mon May 22, 2017 6:11 pm

Cadmium is still used everywhere on bolts/nuts for anti corrosion. Pretty sure all your nice gold Tek screws are cadmium plated too.

Cheers Phil
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby Bobsyauncle » Mon May 22, 2017 6:59 pm

Typical wire analysis: Ag: 45.0% Cu: 15.0% Zn:16.0%
Cd:24.0%

Yeah i might see if they are worth more to someone else.
Working with them isn't a problem as I'd just use a dust mask and gloves but i guess if it is going to actually leach into the ethanol then thats a different story.

How many rods would i go through making a 4" 7 tube RC and a 2" 4 tube PC if they were hard soldered? And soft solder the rest.

Or my other option, roughly how much soft solder would I go through making 4" 5 plate with 2" single bubble caps? ~x(
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby warramungas » Tue May 23, 2017 10:09 am

Well think of it like this. Cadmiums more toxic than lead. If it said 24% lead, would you use them?
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Re: Cadmium in Brazing rods

Postby Bobsyauncle » Tue May 23, 2017 6:13 pm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3127121/

Found this study showing leaching at ph-6. Ethanol is around ph-7 so thats enough for me to not use these rods.

Wasn't doubting anyone here, just needed to see solid evidence.

Thanks all for your input :text-thankyoublue: :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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