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Glite Dictionary
🔗 Made of metals 🔗 A metal compound
intermetallic

intermetallic

9.0
A compound of two or more metals with atoms in a regular order
  • noun
  • /ˌɪntərˈmɛtəlɪk/
  • Specialized
: intermetálico
  • The phosphide intermetallic is thought to reside partly in the grain boundaries, where it exerts a blocking effect, restricting the diffusion of Cu through the Co(P) layer 11.

Examples

  • An intermetallic compound like titanium aluminide demonstrates unique properties that make it valuable in aerospace applications.

  • Researchers are studying how different intermetallic phases can enhance the strength of metal alloys.

  • The intermetallic material, composed of nickel and aluminum, shows improved resistance to oxidation.

Surface Forms

intermetallic singular
intermetallics plural

Morphology

intermetallic = metallic (semi-transparent) = inter + metal + ic

The word is built transparently from 'inter' + 'metallic', but the specific chemistry term is technical and not fully predictable from the parts alone.

Etymology

Intermetallic as a noun comes from the parts inter- 'between' and metal 'metal', so an intermetallic is a special material made from two or more metals joined in a regular way, which is why these compounds often behave differently from ordinary metal mixes.