Glaze material · Restricted — read before using
Cadmium compounds
Also sold as: cadmium sulfide, cadmium carbonate
The source of true reds and oranges — in raw form not useful to the studio potter (burns out to grey above cone 05).
In published recipes
Used in 0 of 10,859 glaze recipes (0.0%)
Typical amount when present
Too few published recipes to report typical amounts.
Cones where it appears
Share of recipes containing this material that fire to each cone.
Too few published recipes to report typical amounts.
Chemistry
- Raw formula
- CdCO3
- Molecular weight
- 172.4
- Fired formula
- CdO
- cadmium sulfide CdS: 144
From Linda Arbuckle's materials table. Mineral formulas are idealized; buy an analysis for the bag you have. Equivalent weight is the weight that supplies one molecule of the fired oxide — the number glaze calculation uses.
What potters should know
Toxic raw and in firing fumes. Modern inclusion stains encapsulate cadmium in zirconium so it survives to cone 10 with reduced solubility; do not ball-mill them, and leach-test any food surface.
Handling and safety
Contains cadmium compounds. Toxic and IARC-classified carcinogen. Inclusion stains reduce but do not eliminate risk; FDA leach testing required for any food-contact use.
Dry ceramic materials generate respirable silica dust. Use a NIOSH-approved N95 or P100 respirator and adequate ventilation when mixing dry, and wet-clean surfaces.
This information is provided for planning purposes and is derived from publicly available sources including OSHA regulations, NIOSH guidance, and manufacturer safety data sheets. It does not constitute professional safety advice. Consult your material suppliers' SDS documents and applicable local regulations for authoritative safety guidance.
Questions
- Is Cadmium compounds safe to use?
- It carries a specific hazard flag: Contains cadmium compounds. Toxic and IARC-classified carcinogen. Inclusion stains reduce but do not eliminate risk; FDA leach testing required for any food-contact use. Read the supplier's SDS and follow local rules before using it, and never assume a glaze is food-safe without testing.
Related materials
| Glaze material | recipes | typical |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic stains | 266 | 7% |
Sources. Usage figures are computed by Claybench over 10,859 glaze recipes compiled from publicly shared community recipe collections (snapshot 2026-02-27) — counts only; no recipe is reproduced, and the figures describe that collection, not every recipe in existence. Material roles and notes are paraphrased from Linda Arbuckle's Ceramic Materials handout unless noted. Hazard notes summarise supplier SDS guidance; read the SDS for the product you buy.
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