Cadmium copper (cad copper) is one of the early high copper alloys developed for its hard drawn tensile strength. It is a binary alloy system containing approximately 1% cadmium added to pure copper.

Cad copper has good physical properties, is very economical and can be drawn to relatively fine diameters, however, it does not have the softening resistance of the more modern copper alloys when subjected to high processing or operating temperatures. Additionally, cadmium is an element of increasing environmental and worker safety concerns (see OSHA Regulation CFR 29 - 1910.1027). The European directive on Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment limits the concentration of cadmium to 100 ppm. In contrast, alloy C162 contains an average of 10,000 ppm cadmium or 100 times the allowed limit.

Cadmium copper conductors are available bare or plated with silver, nickel or tin.