BONDINGDOE-HDBK-1017/1-93Structure of MetalsSolids have greater interatomic attractions than liquids and gases. However, there are widevariations in the properties of solid materials used for engineering purposes. The properties ofmaterials depend on their interatomic bonds. These same bonds also dictate the space betweenthe configuration of atoms in solids. All solids may be classified as either amorphous orcrystalline.Amorphous materials have no regular arrangement of their molecules. Materials like glassand paraffin are considered amorphous. Amorphous materials have the properties ofsolids. They have definite shape and volume and diffuse slowly. These materials alsolack sharply defined melting points. In many respects, they resemble liquids that flowvery slowly at room temperature.In a crystalline structure, the atoms are arranged in a three-dimensional array called alattice. The lattice has a regular repeating configuration in all directions. A group ofparticles from one part of a crystal has exactly the same geometric relationship as a groupfrom any other part of the same crystal.MS-01Page 4Rev. 0
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