Metallic bonding

Metallic bonding is a type of strong chemical bond

that occurs in pure metals and alloys. Metals are giant Did you
kno w …?
three-dimensional structures where layers of positive The me
lt
points o ing and boiling
f metals
metal ions are surrounded by a sea of delocalised to the n a
umber o re related
electron f ou
outer-shell electrons. charge
s. The g ter shell
rea
of the m ter the
the grea et
ter the n al ion,
delocal u
ised ele mber of
the stro ctrons a
nger the nd
bonds.

k now ...?
Did y o u
l l o y s a re used
um a e
Alumini ircraft, becaus
a
to make htweight and
lig
they’re T h e y are also
ong .
very str t o c o rrosion.
t
resistan
Did yo
u know
The c ...?
h
a met emical form
a
for th l is just the ula of
e el sy
lattice ement as m mbol
s do n etallic
fixed o
numb t contain
eg so er of a a
dium toms
is rep –
resen
as Na ted
.

Alloys are mixtures of two or more elements where at least one is a Pure metals only contain one type of metal atom,
metal. Metallic bonds are the strong electrostatic attractions between so the atoms are arranged in layers which can slide
positively charged metal ions and delocalised electrons. over one another. This means they are malleable –
Artwork © Dan Bright/Text by Emma Owens

can be hammered or pressed into shape without

In an alloy, the atoms are different sizes which distorts the layered
breaking or cracking – and ductile, so they can be
structure. This means greater force is needed to make the layers slide
drawn into wires.
over one another, which makes an alloy harder and stronger than the
pure metal.

rsc.li/3P0H9VC