Metallic Bonding

  

In metallic bonding the electons are very weakly tied into the metal structure. An electron owes no allegiance to any particular nucleus and is free to drift through the structure.

Metallic-bonded minerals are characterized by:

  • high placticity, tenacity, ductility, and conductivity
  • low hardness, melting point, and boiling point

Among minerals, only the native metals display pure metallic bonding.