Electroplated cadmium is a robust and versatile metallic coating. Cadmium is a soft white metal that, when plated onto steel, cast iron, malleable iron, copper, and powdered metal, functions as a “sacrificial coating,” corroding before the substrate material. To enhance the corrosion protection of cadmium plating, chromate conversion coatings can be applied over the plated metal, yielding the familiar gold color as seen in the above picture. Other colors, such as olive drab are also available.