2.4 Structure of Metals and Alloys

Metallic bonding can be represented as:

An array of positive metal ions surrounded by delocalized valence electrons

Delocalized valence electrons are also called:

Sea of electrons

Interstitial alloys form between:

Atoms of different radii

Where do smaller atoms go in interstitial alloys?

Interstitial spaces between the larger atoms

Which atom is the smaller one in steel?

Carbon

Which atom is the larger one in steel?

Iron

Arrangement of atoms in steel:

Carbon occupies interstices in iron

Substitutional alloys form between:

Atoms of comparable radius

What happens to atoms in substitutional alloys?

One atom substitutes for the other in the lattice

In brass alloys, what atoms substitute for what atoms?

Zinc for copper