How do the atoms of metal and ceramic form solid structures

How do the atoms of metal and ceramic form solid structures? Use chemical bonding principles to explain your answer. List the pros and cons of both metal and ceramic biomaterials

Solution

Metals

Ceramics

Type of bonding present

Compounds and their alloys formed primarily through metallic bonds

Either covalently or ionically bonded (sometimes a mixture of the two).

Formed from the elements

Metallic elements normally combines and form the metallic materials

These compounds are between metallic and nonmetallic elements

How do the atoms form solid structures

They have large number of electrons (forms sea of electrons or electron cloud.) which are non-localized; i.e., these electrons are not bound to particular atoms.

Many properties of metals are due to these electrons.

Ionic bonding is most strong where + and – ions binds, where the outer valence shell is completely occupied by the electrons through sharing process of electrons and thus forms solid structure

Pros

Electricity and heat

extremely good conductors not transparent to visible light

Insulative to the passage

High temperatures and harsh environments

Resistant but less than ceramics so only they can be deformed

more resistant

Ex:

Metals like Tunsgen, etc.,

Most of them are composed of clay minerals, cement, and glass