1. An interstitial compound or alloy is a compound that is formed when small atoms like hydrogen, boron, carbon or nitrogen are trapped in the interstitial holes in a metal lattice.
2. They are usually non-stoichiometric compounds.
3. Transition metals form a number of interstitial compounds such as TiC, ZrH1.92 , Mn4N etc.
4. The elements that occupy the metal lattice provide them new properties.
- They are hard and show electrical and thermal conductivity
- They have high melting points higher than those of pure metals
- Transition metal hydrides are used as powerful reducing agents
- Metallic carbides are chemically inert.
