I do not understand how atoms replacing the base metal in substitutional alloys actually replace the base metal atoms and not form bonds.
Karthik Gopal ,
Good afternoon!
The substitutional atoms take place of the original atoms in the crystal.
They definitely form bonds with the other atoms in the crystal but these are metallic bonds where all the electrons are shared among the atoms... It is unlike covalent or ionic bonding. Metals have low ionization energy!
If they do form bonds, how are they then solid solutions ( homogenous mixtures) . Arent they compounds then?
Dear Karthik
As there is a point,i.e
an atom vacancy, defect in a base metaا،i.e.,solution, structure,there is a substitutional atom of a solute metal in that atom vacancy . The basic requirement of the substitutional solid solution is that the solute atom should be less or equal to the base solution atom alongside the solute atom should be readily diffused in the base solution structure. This can occur only when the solute atom and the solution atom of metals that have close atomic number ,from the periodic table of the chemical elements.
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