Metallic bond

Metallic bonding is bonding within metals. It involves the delocalised sharing of free electrons between a lattice of metal atoms.

Metallic bonding, as with covalent bonding is non-polar, in that there is no (for pure elemental metals) or very little (for alloys) electronegativity difference among the atoms participating in the bonding interaction, and the electrons involved in that interaction are delocalized across the crystalline structure of the metal.

The metallic bond accounts for many physical characteristics of metals, such as malleability, ductility, conduction of heat and electricity, and luster. See also chemical bond.